I have noticed more than once that nature in this war is not on the side of Russia. Previously, it was interesting to observe how Russian ships repeatedly tried to land troops off the coast of Odessa and they were constantly hindered by storms at sea, as a result of which Russia could not carry out such an operation (with the exception of one relatively small attempt with a complete loss of troops), because later the APU it became possible to destroy enemy ships on the way.

Actually, the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine on February 24 began with the advance almost exclusively along the well-maintained roads of Ukraine, since at that time it was difficult even for tracked armored vehicles to drive through the Ukrainian muddy black soil. We have repeatedly seen photos and videos of serviceable Russian tanks, armored vehicles and other military equipment stuck in the mud and abandoned. At the same time, the advance of the occupying troops almost exclusively along the roads of Ukraine was a good opportunity to shoot many kilometers of columns as if in a shooting range, as a result of which the Russian army suffered significant losses in the first month of the offensive and was forced to retreat from the central and northern parts of Ukraine.

Recently, I was also surprised when I looked at the weather map. A sharp cold snap was from Russia and its borders almost coincided with the borders of Ukraine, and they went around Ukraine almost along the contour of its borders. This is very symbolic.

Russia periodically launches rockets and anything capable of firing at Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure in an attempt to cause panic and fear among the civilian population because it cannot gain an advantage on the battlefield. And what did she achieve? Only the hatred of Ukrainians for Russia and everything Russian.

Now both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for decisive offensive actions. It was impossible to advance in late autumn and this warm winter, when the soil was not frozen enough, and there was a lot of moisture and heavy equipment bogged down in the Ukrainian black soil. This is one of the reasons why positional battles have continued on the fronts in recent months. On the other hand, Russia ran out of steam in offensive operations. That approximately 200,000-strong invasion army, which used the best Russian armored vehicles, has already been practically defeated and destroyed in Ukraine. Therefore, in Russia, since the end of September, the population has been mobilized for war, and this is not such a fast process. But the Kremlin is in a hurry to gather more forces and means and launch another attack on Ukraine even before Ukraine receives heavy tanks and other military equipment from civilized countries. Ukraine also uses this time to bleed the enemy with pinpoint strikes. But with the beginning of spring, active hostilities and offensive operations will resume on both sides.

Therefore, it is not a matter of a separate petty benefit. From the preparation and conduct of hostilities this spring on both sides, without exaggeration, the fate of both Ukraine and Russia is being decided.

The information that Europe will freeze this winter was deliberately disseminated by Russian propaganda so that European countries would not refuse Russian oil and gas supplies, and would not assist Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. We already see that the disseminated information has nothing to do with reality. Europe, in principle, successfully manages without Russian energy carriers, and this winter is even much warmer than usual. There is one more month of winter left, and so far we do not see even signs of the predicted horror stories. Russia has lost big here too.

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The price of gas at Europe's largest TTF hub in the Netherlands has fallen to 53 euros per MWh (about $562 per thousand cubic meters), the lowest level since September 2021. This is evidenced by the data of the tradingeconomics platform.

The fall in prices is due to the expected reduction in demand for gas due to warming on the European continent from next week.

The high occupancy of gas storage facilities in Europe for this period of the year also affects the price dynamics. The vaults are about 69% full, well above the 10-year average of 54% for this time of year.

An increase in the supply of liquefied natural gas from the United States to Europe is also expected after the launch of the Freeport LNG export gas hub, which has been closed since June 2022. Therefore, Europe is not going to freeze at all.

[moderator's note: consecutive posts merged]

Of course, cryptocurrency is developing more and more areas of use, simplifying and facilitating our lives. Such useful projects still arise periodically and investing in them will bring good returns. But there are many more useless and fraudulent projects, and our profit will depend on how correct our choice is. The fact is that not only the usefulness of the project and its cryptocurrency determines success. The correct selection and professionalism of the team, the organization of activities and even the period of time for the implementation of such a project also play an important role. It is impossible to foresee everything in advance, and therefore even very useful projects sometimes fail.

States and their governments will not accept cryptocurrencies as a solution to their financial problems. Cryptocurrency can walk in the state along with the national currency of states, but will not replace it. States will not work with a currency over which they do not have leverage. Therefore, cryptocurrency banks will not be able to replace the existing banking system of states. These are completely different financial assets for servicing the economy and crypto banks are not suitable for this.

The weak national currency of the states means its weak economy. Therefore, the currency is saved by strengthening the economy of the state, and not its financial system. CBDCs are only more efficient non-cash payments of the national currency of this state compared to the current existing system of non-cash payments. They improve the functioning of the national currency, but do not strengthen it. CBDC is actually not related to cryptocurrency.

All wars that have been started will eventually end. The war against Ukraine will end with time and Russia has started it. It has been going on for almost a year, and it is already quite obvious that Russia will be defeated in it. But when it will end, no one knows yet. The active phase of hostilities should end this year. In the spring, when military assistance from other states arrives in Ukraine and when the weather is favorable, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to continue the liberation of the occupied territories of Ukraine. At this time, the Ukrainians will definitely liberate the south of their country and go to the sea and the Crimean peninsula.

But so far, the entire territory of Ukraine continues to be periodically shot through by expensive Russian missiles, of which, according to Ukrainian intelligence, only less than 19 percent remain in Russia.

States, of course, will eventually increase the regulation of the circulation of cryptocurrencies in society. After all, financial relations cannot continue to remain in the gray zone. While the capitalization of the cryptocurrency market was relatively small, the states could not notice the movement of the cryptocurrency. But over time, the situation is changing. The role and importance of cryptocurrency is growing, the damage caused to citizens as a result of abuse and various frauds is increasing. The collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange and the UST stablecoin alone, as the OP pointed out, caused $72 billion in damage to cryptocurrency holders. The only question is what kind of regulation this will be for cryptocurrency market participants.

Iran is now the main military ally of the Russian Federation, both terrorist countries exchange military technologies and weapons, conduct joint military operations. In this regard, very interesting events took place there on the night of January 28-29. It became known about a number of powerful explosions in Iran. There was information that key military factories were attacked by drones. Also, more than five Iranian military bases were bombed, and there is even a chance that the infamous factory that produced the very "shaheeds" with which the invaders terrorize the Ukrainians was destroyed. Also, some media have spread information that Israel has launched a special military operation on the territory of Iran, but there is no official confirmation yet.

It is reported that numerous cities in Iran itself were under attack - Isfahan, where, among others, the objects of the nuclear program of the Iranian dictatorship, Tabriz, Rasht, Khoy, Hamadan, Keredzh and others are located. There were also attacks on government buildings in Tehran.
A fire broke out at an oil refinery in the Shahid Salimi area. Military bases, weapons factories and oil refineries are on fire (air base in Hamadan, oil refineries in Tabriz and Azarshahri, an ammunition factory in Isfahan (a city 340 km south of the capital of Iran). These factories could also produce Shahed drones, one of the sites located at the Badr Air Base in Isfahan Province, Isfahan is also home to factories involved in Iran's nuclear program.

Some Twitter users say the factory produces warheads for the Shahed kamikaze drones that Iran is supplying to Russia for attacks in Ukraine.

Israel may be behind the numerous strikes on Iranian military facilities on the night of January 28-29. Israel's goal is allegedly the complete destruction of the Iranian military industry. At the same time, Israel has not officially commented on these assumptions. However, right now the Israeli army has begun bringing troops into the cities of Shechem and Beit Ummar (Judea and Samaria). The goal is to eliminate the infrastructure and manpower of local terrorist groups controlled by Iran.

“Tonight we decided to attack terrorist organizations. Our response will be strong, fast and accurate. Whoever wants to harm us, we will harm him too,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly said.

It is noteworthy that Iran, armed with the latest Russian air defense systems, was unable to repulse the attack.

Opposition and protesters have become more active. Shooting began on the streets of Iranian cities, local media reported. In the city of Javanrud, rebels storm police stations and IRGC bases.

Indeed, in Ukraine, even many officials in power did not believe that the Putin regime in Russia was capable of launching a full-scale military invasion. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were ready for such a scenario of events and, on the eve of the invasion, secretly withdrew aviation, air defense and artillery from their bases, so the massive Russian attack on their reconnoitered positions in the first days of the invasion did not give the effect that the invaders were counting on. Despite the fact that Russia has repeatedly stated that in the first days of the attack, Ukrainian aviation and air defense were completely defeated, it was they who played a significant role in the fact that after a month of hostilities, Russia hastily withdrew its half-broken armies from the central and northern regions Ukraine, which were under the threat of complete annihilation. And this was at a time when no one had yet given serious weapons to Ukraine, because according to their forecasts, Ukraine had to hold out against Russia for no more than one week.

The war that Russia unleashed in the center of Europe in the 21st century disrupted many trade and economic processes, and therefore the world economy suffered greatly from this. The current economic decline is a direct result of the Kremlin's military adventure. That is why civilized countries have decided to help Ukraine win this war.

Civilized states have already come to a consensus that it is not worth negotiating with Putin and that Russia should lose the war of conquest it unleashed in Ukraine. Therefore, the United States, European countries and other states will provide Ukraine with as many weapons as it needs to inflict a military defeat on Russia. Twelve states have already agreed to provide Ukraine with heavy tanks, over a thousand armored vehicles and other weapons. Now the issue of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters is being decided.

Both Republicans and Democrats are now demanding that Biden provide Ukraine with as many weapons as it needs to win, and a large group of 17 specialists from the United States is already arriving in Ukraine to control the use of the transferred weapons.

The armed forces of Ukraine are now capable of inflicting a decisive defeat on Russia and liberating their territories, but Ukraine still lacks weapons. The offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been delayed for the time being both because of this reason and because of bad weather conditions. The loss of Bakhmut and Soledar does not have any significant significance. About 10 thousand people used to live in Soledar, now there are about 500 people there, and this small town is now nothing but ruins, where it is difficult to keep the defense. Therefore, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had already left Soledar and occupied more advantageous, fortified positions prepared in advance behind it on elevated high-rises, at the same time inflicting fire damage on the Russians in this area. Bakhmut has been held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for eight months, for which it is even called a fortress. But in general, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are now ready to attack, and one of the most promising directions for the offensive is the south, in order to cut Russia's land corridor to the occupied Crimea.

Recently, the last of the largest banks in Russia was banned from using the dollar in settlements with other states. In trade with Pakistan, Russia has already agreed to use even Pakistani rupees. In Russia, difficulties simply appeared in using the currency in trade transactions with other states. It is unprofitable for other states to take Russian rubles now. Russia continues to fight, its economy is slowly falling apart both from the war and from the imposed sanctions. Therefore, the ruble will continue to fall in price and this process will take a long time. Therefore, Russia had a need to create something new, and in order for this currency to inspire confidence, it is backed by gold, which is also under sanctions.

Whether states will ban or tighten the mining of bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with the PoW algorithm will depend on how they solve the current energy shortage problem. Most likely, the state will discuss this issue and such a decision is quite possible. However, this is unlikely to affect the circulation of bitcoin.
According to Blockchain.com, 90% of all bitcoins were mined 12 years after miners received the first bitcoins. This means that about 18.9 million coins out of a maximum supply of 21 million are now on the open market. Therefore, even if states decide to ban bitcoin mining, and even if they can control such a decision, then bitcoin may well get by with the current amount of almost 19 million.

In order for bitcoin to lead the international market, it is necessary for states to use it for settlements in their international agreements. But this is hardly to be expected either in the near or in the distant future. Non-cash settlements of states are obsolete, but they will move to national and regional CBDCs both based on the blockchain and without it. High price volatility and lack of control over decentralized cryptocurrency will not allow states to use cryptocurrency on the world market. But citizens of different countries can do it.

Putin and his entourage are now in despair and are looking for a worthy way out of the failed war in Ukraine. Russia has several options and they are either bad or very bad for her. Therefore, Putin is simply hoping for a miracle, for a change in the situation in the world in his favor. But the United States and Europe, by making decisions on the supply of their main tanks, have already made it clear that there will be no compromises. Recently, Putin was still given the opportunity to save face in the event of the actual defeat of Russia. The decision to supply tanks to Ukraine (and the issue of F-16 fighters is already being decided) indicates that Putin has missed the last opportunity.

In Russia, the people have been zombified for a very long time by Putin's propaganda, which distorted objective reality, created the image of a fictional enemy and the illusion of the power and invincibility of the Russian people. The problems that arose there were always tried to be solved from a position of strength, or threats to use it. But self-confidence and corruption have taken their toll. The Armed Forces of Ukraine brought Russia back to its current reality. Therefore, they are already slowly beginning to see clearly there. Based on this, the United States, the West, and Ukraine as well, make decisions in stages and in relation to the situation that has arisen. Therefore, it is possible that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have to operate on the territory of Russia in the future. Already now, Ukraine is striking at military airfields, the accumulation of troops and equipment on the territory of Russia. Of course, Ukraine will stop when there are clear guarantees that Russia will not attack in the future. At the same time, the assurances of false Russia will not be taken into account.

Nature itself warns of the need to end the consumerist and barbaric attitude of man towards her. If people on our planet do not draw the appropriate conclusions, then it will be even worse. The average temperature on our planet is rising at an alarming rate. Because of this, the climate, the direction of sea currents, the direction of winds, and air masses change very dramatically. Everything that had previously been established in nature and to which people were accustomed began to move. It is difficult to break the balance in nature, but it is even more difficult to correct the situation later. Already now, great efforts are needed by all mankind in this matter, otherwise the situation will only worsen.

Agree. It is the high price volatility in the cryptocurrency market that attracts a significant number of both traders and cryptocurrency holders. If the price volatility were at the level of other markets, the cryptocurrency would not have such demand as it is now. Therefore, it is not even worth artificially interfering in this process. True, so far we do not know which way the regulation of cryptocurrencies by the states will go.
The volatility of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies could decrease or even disappear if the cryptocurrency loses its decentralized nature. However, there is an opinion that with the increase in the adoption of cryptocurrency, its price volatility will decrease. Let's see how it will be in practice.

The United States dealt another heavy blow to Russian banking and energy. The last major Russian bank was deprived of access to American correspondent accounts, that is, now it will not be able to carry out transactions with US dollars. The Kremlin financial structure will not be able to make cross-border dollar transfers from next Friday, January 27th. The reason is the closure of correspondent accounts of Gazprombank in the American JPMorgan Chase Bank and Bank of New York Mellon.
To trade Russian energy resources, the Kremlin will now have to switch to gray and even criminal schemes. And this means that the budget of the Russian Federation will become even more scarce than previously expected. Well, in Russia there is a good opportunity to switch to cryptocurrencies in their calculations, or at least to stablecoins.

Yes, the United States is now providing maximum support to Ukraine, since Biden's decision on the supply of Abrams tanks to Ukraine in order to stimulate Germany to transfer its Leopard tanks to Ukraine should be made public today. Also in the United States, a decision was made to increase the production of shells sixfold, bringing them to 90,000 per month, in order to meet the needs of Ukraine and create its own reserve for possible subsequent conflicts. In addition, due to the fact that Russian military equipment did not perform well in the war in Ukraine, the demand for equipment from NATO countries is growing, so NATO will have plenty of military orders, their military-industrial complex will work at full capacity.

For the countries of the European Union, Russia's war in Ukraine, of course, is annoying in terms of providing financial, material and military assistance to Ukraine. But they have already understood that in this way they avoid war on their territory. Now every day the blood of Ukrainians is shed, and therefore Europe agrees to help Ukraine, if only to avoid such a fate.

Today, Biden is due to make a statement about the supply of Abram's tanks to Ukraine, and Germany must decide on sending their Leopard tanks to Ukraine and allowing other countries to transfer these tanks to Ukraine. But this is not the way to escalate the war. This is a normal way of subduing an aggressor and forcing him to peace by inflicting a military defeat on him. The US and Europe have already understood that if Russia is not stopped now, it will go further to the Baltic countries, Poland and its other neighbors. Then hostilities will grow in scale and territory. There is simply no other way to stop Russian aggression. In fact, the Third World War is already underway on the territory of Ukraine and it was unleashed by the Putin regime in Russia. This is their choice and the Russian people will have to pay for it for many decades.

Earlier, Western countries offered Putin a plan to end the war, even with the possibility for Putin to retain power in Russia for some time. To do this, Putin must withdraw his troops from Ukraine as of February 23 last year, agree to the extradition of war criminals and reparations to Ukraine. At the same time, Crimea should be preparing for the return to Ukraine for seven years, the issue only of Donbass should be resolved through diplomacy. After the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine, Putin may be given a period of one year to resolve internal problems and hold elections in Russia. Otherwise, the West threatened to supply as much military equipment to Ukraine as necessary for the complete defeat of Russia and its capitulation. It looks like the peace plan didn't work.