I'm running Bitcoin Core 0.20.0 on MacOS 10.14.6. Yesterday when I started it, it synced for a while but then got stuck on block 634126. Then I got an error saying "Error reading database, shutting down". I also got a message from "DiskWarrior Hardware Test Notice" that there were bad blocks on the external SSD I use to store the Bitcoin core data. After rebooting, now Bitcoin Core is still stuck on block 634126. For about 20-30 min it said "Connecting to Peers". The "Syncing Headers" for another 10-15 min with 0 active peers. Then I had 4 active peers but still no syncing. And now 2 active connections and still stuck. I usually always have 8 active connections and syncing is fast. Any idea what's going on?

I'm not totally convinced that there is something wrong with the SSD. It seems to work fine accessing all kinds of other files. And it has happened to me a few times in the past that I have gotten reports of errors on external disks when they were in fact OK. Particular with Drive Genius and Drive Pulse. However, this is the first time I have gotten a "DiskWarrior Hardware Test Notice" message. SoftRAID XT says the disk is OK. I have 6 external drives attached via Thunderbolt 3.

Which is the best (secure, great UI, set your own fee) BTC wallet for iOS that supports SegWit?

Since cryptos are trading 24/7, at what time of day does a new daily candle form on Coinbase and other platforms with candlestick charts?

What is the preferable way to receive multiple bitcoin payments in order to minimize fees when eventually sending the bitcoin to someone else?

Scenario 1:
I received 10 different payments of 0.01 BTC to the same bitcoin address.

Scenario 2:
I received 10 different payments of 0.01 BTC to 10 different bitcoin addresses.

Now I have 0.1 BTC in my wallet that I want to send to someone. Which of the above scenarios will result in lower fees when sending that 0.1 BTC to someone else?

Any additional clarification of this issue would be greatly appreciated.

I would appreciate if someone could let me know, in general, how long it usually takes, and what the potential pitfalls are, when transferring BTC or USD between GDAX, Gemini and your bank.

For example, if I wanted to move Bitcoin at GDAX or Gemini to a hardware wallet, and then later move it back to the exchange, how long would those transfers usually take. And after initiating a transfer, could the Bitcoin be temporarily unavailable during some type of security review etc by the exchange? Before doing a transfer, I want to make sure that I don't lose temporary access to my Bitcoin in case I want to sell.

Another case is if I want to move Bitcoin between GDAX and Gemini. And another one is if I want to withdraw USD from either GDAX and Gemini.

I would greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences with transferring Bitcoin and USD between these exchanges and your bank.

I have some XRP I want to convert to BTC. So I opened an account at Bitstamp. Unfortunately you need to verify the account before you can send your XPR there. And they are currently very much behind with verifications, looking at 2 weeks+ or so. I then went to Binance, but they don't accept new customers at the moment. Any ideas which other exchange I could choose? Preferably one where I don't have to go through a lengthy verification process.