Did Porsche kill all the cars in Russia?
No, Porsche did not intentionally "turn off" all cars in Russia as a deliberate action like a remote kill switch activation. However, hundreds of Porsche vehicles across the country have suddenly become immobilized due to a widespread failure in their factory-installed Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), a satellite-based security feature designed to prevent theft. This outage, which began around November 28, 2025, has left owners unable to start their engines or access fuel delivery, effectively bricking the cars.<grok:render card_id="faeb81" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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### Key Details on the Incident
- **Affected Vehicles**: The issue impacts all Porsche models equipped with VTS, including popular ones like the Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, and 911, dating back to 2013. It affects gasoline-engine variants nationwide, from Moscow to Krasnodar, but not every single Porsche—only those that lost the satellite signal.<grok:render card_id="df163f" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Cause**: The VTS relies on satellite connectivity to monitor the vehicle. When it detects a signal loss (e.g., due to a glitch, interference, or outage), it automatically activates an immobilizer as an anti-theft measure, shutting down the engine and electronics. Russia's largest dealership group, Rolf, confirmed a spike in service requests starting late November, attributing it to a "complete loss of satellite connectivity."<grok:render card_id="bc3f8a" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Workarounds**: Some owners have temporarily restored functionality by:
- Disconnecting the VTS module or rebooting it (requires partial disassembly).
- Disconnecting the car battery for 8–10 hours to reset the system.
These fixes have mixed success, and affected vehicles could potentially re-lock if the signal issue persists.<grok:render card_id="10f4c9" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Porsche's Response**: Porsche's Russian office and global headquarters in Germany have not commented publicly. Porsche suspended official deliveries to Russia in March 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, but existing vehicles remain in use via parallel imports.<grok:render card_id="df042d" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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### Speculation and Broader Context
Reports and social media discussions have fueled rumors of intentional sabotage—possibly a cyberattack, deliberate satellite jamming, or even Porsche complying with EU sanctions by remotely disabling vehicles.<grok:render card_id="b600b3" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Dealerships like Rolf are investigating but have not confirmed foul play, calling it a "system failure." Similar (but less severe) issues have affected a handful of Audi and Volkswagen models, as they share Volkswagen Group tech.<grok:render card_id="1ec2fd" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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This highlights vulnerabilities in connected vehicles: Modern cars (gas, diesel, or EV) increasingly depend on over-the-air updates, subscription services, and remote security, which manufacturers can limit due to geopolitics, non-payment, or regional blocks. Since 2022, Western brands have already disabled features like remote start and navigation in Russia without fully immobilizing vehicles—until now.<grok:render card_id="37847f" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> As of December 7, 2025, the outage continues, with no resolution announced. Owners are advised to contact local dealers for diagnostics.
curt finch
npub1twan...xjqh
on alby
Notes (20)
Bought my own EKG machine
Just for funsies


"I regret that I have but one life to give for my country."
Those were the words of Captain Nathan Hale, a 21-year-old American spy, spoken on September 22, 1776, just before the British hanged him in New York City for espionage during the Revolutionary War.
He’d been caught with incriminating sketches of British fortifications hidden in his shoes after volunteering for an impossibly dangerous intelligence mission behind enemy lines. Faced with the gallows and offered a chance to recant, he chose defiance instead.
The line itself is a slight paraphrase (recorded second-hand by eyewitnesses), but it’s become one of the most enduring statements of patriotic sacrifice in American history. Hale had reportedly been inspired by a similar sentiment in Joseph Addison’s play *Cato* (“What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our country!”), which was popular among the revolutionaries, Washington included.
Two and a half centuries later, it still hits hard, because it’s not bravado. It’s the quiet, terrible recognition that some causes demand everything, and some people quietly decide they’re willing to pay it.
Thank you for quoting him. His one life bought something that still matters.
Cronyism is not capitalism. It is slavery. And it drives people to socialism, which is also slavery.
We live in cronyism. Bitcoin is a libertarian panacea which allows you to accumulate capital.
Top 10 big U.S. banks by how crypto / Bitcoin–friendly they appear — based on custody/trading/stablecoin/staff moves.
1. BNY Mellon — Strongest custody infrastructure, first global-systemic bank approved to hold crypto for ETFs.
2. Citi — Plans to launch full crypto custody in 2026 + active digital-asset group.
3. U.S. Bank — Resumed Bitcoin custody services 2025 and supports Bitcoin ETFs for institutional clients.
4. JPMorgan Chase — Large-scale trading initiatives, stablecoin & tokenization projects, broad institutional weight, though no native custody.
5. Bank of America — Developing a stablecoin and enabling wealth-management access to crypto/ETPs starting 2026.
6. State Street — Announced intent to offer stablecoins, tokenize assets, and provide custody services.
7. Goldman Sachs — Back to crypto trading/asset-tokenization, institutional-level involvement.
8. Morgan Stanley — Starts advising clients on Bitcoin allocations and evaluating stablecoin utility.
9. Wells Fargo — Exploring stablecoin collaborations and considering crypto moves, though slower than peers.
10. PNC Bank (or comparable smaller national/regional banks) — Some early public mentions of crypto partnerships, but limited visibility vs “big-tier” banks.
Wells Fargo's relationship with Bitcoin has gone from hostile to increasingly embracing over the past several years:
**2018 - Outright Hostile:**
The bank banned cryptocurrency purchases using their credit cards, citing volatility and risk concerns. They even closed some customers' accounts for buying too much Bitcoin.
**2019 - Testing the Waters:**
Piloted their own digital currency internally, showing at least some institutional curiosity about the technology.
**2021 - Major Shift:**
Wells Fargo Investment Institute released a landmark report acknowledging cryptocurrencies as legitimate alternative investments. This was the real turning point in their stance.
**2024 - Getting Exposure:**
After the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January, Wells Fargo moved quickly. By May, regulatory filings showed they had invested in GBTC and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF—though amounts were tiny (around $143k total).
**2025 - Accelerating:**
In Q2 2025, Wells Fargo dramatically increased their Bitcoin exposure from $26 million to $160 million—a 6x jump in one quarter. This is their largest move yet.
**Current Status:**
They now offer Bitcoin ETF access to wealth management clients through brokerage accounts, though they still don't allow direct cryptocurrency purchases for retail customers.
The progression is classic institutional adoption: initial skepticism → cautious research → small pilot positions → rapid scaling once regulatory clarity emerged. Given your interest in institutional flows, that Q2 2025 jump to $160M is probably the most significant signal—they're moving from token exposure to meaningful allocation.
I have an oura ring and a LibreCGM and I'm very interested in all kinds of self measurement devices
Has anybody tried this thing? 149$
The KardiaMobile is a portable, FDA-cleared ECG device made by AliveCor that lets you record medical-grade heart rhythms at home using your smartphone.
**How it works:**
The device is about the size of a stick of gum with two electrodes on top. You place your fingers on the electrodes for 30 seconds while it records a single-lead ECG through a companion app on your phone. The app analyzes the reading and can detect normal sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation (AFib), bradycardia, and tachycardia.
**Key features:**
- Takes a medical-grade ECG in 30 seconds
- Results are instant and can be saved/shared with your doctor as a PDF
- Detects AFib with clinically validated accuracy
- Works with iPhone and Android devices
- Portable - easily fits in a pocket or purse
**Common uses:**
- Monitoring for atrial fibrillation
- Tracking heart rhythm if you have palpitations or irregular heartbeats
- Post-cardiac event monitoring
- General heart health tracking
**Versions:**
There's also a KardiaMobile 6L that records a 6-lead ECG (more comprehensive than the standard single-lead version) and provides additional detection capabilities.
The device requires a subscription for advanced features like unlimited recordings and detailed history, though basic AFib detection works without a subscription. Recordings can be shared directly with physicians, which is particularly useful for capturing intermittent symptoms that might not occur during office visits.
Unfortunately our 401K is with vanguard. :-(
Major reversal - Vanguard just started allowing Bitcoin and crypto ETF trading on Tuesday (December 2nd) after being Wall Street's biggest crypto skeptic for years.
This is huge because:
- Vanguard manages $11 trillion and has 50+ million customers
- They actively blocked Bitcoin ETFs when they launched in January 2024
- Former CEO Tim Buckley consistently argued Bitcoin was too volatile and didn't belong in long-term portfolios
- When Bitcoin ETFs launched, customers trying to buy them got error messages - sparked a #BoycottVanguard campaign
What changed:
- New CEO Salim Ramji took over in July 2024 - he came from BlackRock where he helped launch their Bitcoin ETF
- Sustained client demand as BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF grew to $70B+ in assets
- Vanguard was losing business to competitors
The compromise:
- They'll allow third-party crypto ETFs (Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana) on their platform
- Still won't launch their own crypto products
- Will exclude memecoins
- Treating crypto like gold or other non-core assets
Timing's interesting though - Bitcoin just fell from $126K in October to mid-$80Ks, so they're opening access during a drawdown. But Bank of America also just recommended 1-4% crypto allocations for wealth clients around the same time.
So yes, even the most conservative institution finally caved to reality.
Fidelity was very early Bitcoin compared to most big investment houses
Absolutely - Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson just confirmed she personally owns Bitcoin earlier today at the Founders Summit 2025, calling it the modern "gold standard" for savings.
She framed it as a permanent asset in global savings strategies and said Bitcoin will continue playing a central role in savings strategies. This is a pretty bold public statement from the head of a $6 trillion asset manager.
Fidelity's been all-in for a while though:
- Launched Bitcoin custody in 2018
- Introduced spot Bitcoin ETF in January 2024 (now second-largest with $12B in assets after BlackRock)
- Their research team has consistently published bullish outlooks throughout 2024-2025
Johnson mentioned they started studying Bitcoin seriously back in 2013, ultimately identifying 52 potential crypto use cases internally. Their first breakthrough was accepting Bitcoin donations into their charitable gift fund.
The timing aligns with broader institutional adoption trends - over 75 public companies have adopted Bitcoin treasury strategies recently, up from just one at the start of 2025. Bitcoin's currently around $92K and approaching a $2 trillion market cap.
BANK ↓ / YEAR → | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JPMorgan | Openly hostile to BTC (“worthless”) | Slight softening; Onyx blockchain focus | Launching crypto wallet/settlement patents | Allows limited BTC ETF access; Dimon still anti-BTC
| No client access | Advisors still restricted | Still bars direct BTC for wealth clients | Pragmatic acceptance under pressure
Bank of America | Research-only; no recommendations | Very cautious; no client access | Quiet prep for ETF era | Advisors allowed to recommend spot BTC ETFs
| Treated BTC as speculative | Wait-for-regulation posture | Stablecoin/payments exploration | Suggested allocation 1–4%
Citigroup | Negative tone; AML concerns | Neutral; internal blockchain R&D | Building tokenization platform | Opens ETF access to select clients
| No retail access | No advisor-based BTC | Supports institutional tokenization | Still no direct BTC custody
Wells Fargo | Skeptical; crypto labelled “high risk”| Neutral but restrictive | Offers crypto research to HNW clients | Adds Bitcoin ETFs to approved lists
| No client allocation | Institutional custody discussions | No direct BTC exposure | Advisors can allocate if suitable
Goldman Sachs | “Crypto desk lite” trading for pros | Expands OTC Bitcoin options | Pushes digital-asset division forward | Full ETF access; strong institutional BTC trading
| Still anti-retail | No mainstream wealth access | Tokenization focus | Most bullish among big banks
Morgan Stanley | First big bank to allow BTC funds | Maintains strict suitability rules | Preps spot ETF onboarding | Broadens ETF access; keeps risk controls
| Exposure only for ultra-wealthy | No new access | Expands due diligence | Operationalizing mainstream access
U.S. Bank | Early crypto custody bank | Paused custody expansion post-FTX | Quietly restarts crypto services | Resumes Bitcoin ETF custody fully
| Offering for institutional clients | Very conservative | Limited institutional support | More open than most regionals
PNC | Mostly skeptical; no offering | Internal blockchain experiments | Neutral; evaluating asset-tokenization | Allows ETF access but no advisory push
| No client crypto | Watching regulatory moves | Still no BTC products | “Client-request only”
Truist | Dismissive of BTC | Neutral; fintech partnerships | Watching ETF developments | Limited ETF access for clients
| No access | No wealth-platform crypto | No direct involvement | Defensive, not enthusiastic
Capital One | Anti-crypto; blocks some transactions| Slight thaw but no products | Observing ETF inflows | Permits ETF trading but no advisor guidance
| Risk/AML cited | No custody | No crypto services | Very conservative stance
### JPMorgan Chase's Bitcoin-Related Programs and Offerings
JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank by assets, has gradually expanded its involvement in Bitcoin despite CEO Jamie Dimon's longstanding personal skepticism toward the asset (he has called it a "pet rock" and a "hyped-up fraud" in the past). The bank does **not** offer direct buying, selling, or custody of Bitcoin itself to retail or most clients—instead, it provides **indirect exposure** through regulated financial products and services, primarily targeting institutional and high-net-worth clients. This approach allows clients to participate in Bitcoin's price movements without the bank holding the underlying cryptocurrency. Below is a breakdown of their key programs as of December 2025, based on recent announcements and filings.
#### 1. **Access to Bitcoin ETFs via Self-Directed Investing and Brokerage Accounts**
- **Description**: Retail and wealth management clients can invest in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing. This includes major products like BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC), and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO). Clients gain exposure to Bitcoin's spot price without needing a crypto wallet.
- **Availability**: Accessible via the Chase Mobile app or chase.com for eligible brokerage accounts. No direct crypto trading; only ETF-based exposure.
- **Recent Developments**: In May 2025, JPMorgan explicitly began allowing clients to buy Bitcoin-linked ETFs, with Dimon stating, "We’re going to allow you to buy it... I defend your right to buy Bitcoin."<grok:render card_id="e22e52" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> The bank holds about $760,000 in spot Bitcoin ETFs for its own accounts, per SEC filings.<grok:render card_id="bccdf5" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Target Audience**: Retail investors and wealth management clients.
#### 2. **In-House Bitcoin Fund for Private Bank Clients**
- **Description**: A passively managed Bitcoin fund launched in partnership with NYDIG, providing indirect exposure to Bitcoin's performance. This is not a direct holding but tracks the asset through managed investments.
- **Availability**: Exclusive to Private Bank clients (high-net-worth individuals).
- **Recent Developments**: Rolled out alongside broader ETF access in 2025, emphasizing diversification without direct crypto ownership.<grok:render card_id="d33132" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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#### 3. **Authorized Participant Role in Bitcoin ETFs**
- **Description**: JPMorgan acts as an **authorized participant** for spot Bitcoin ETFs, such as BlackRock's IBIT. This involves creating and redeeming ETF shares to provide liquidity, helping stabilize the funds' market price.
- **Availability**: Behind-the-scenes institutional service; not directly client-facing but supports broader ETF trading.
- **Recent Developments**: Expanded in 2025 to facilitate smoother ETF operations amid surging demand.<grok:render card_id="46c8ee" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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#### 4. **Loans Backed by Bitcoin and Crypto ETF Collateral**
- **Description**: Clients can use Bitcoin holdings (or Bitcoin-linked ETFs) as collateral for secured loans. This includes global financing where pledged assets count toward net worth and liquidity calculations. The program relies on third-party custodians for safekeeping.
- **Availability**: Launched for crypto ETFs in June 2025 (retail and institutional); expanded to direct Bitcoin (and Ether) pledges for institutional clients by end-2025.
- **Recent Developments**: Builds on earlier ETF collateral acceptance; now treats Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class alongside stocks or gold for lending purposes.<grok:render card_id="7f0aba" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Bloomberg reported this as a "major step" in integrating crypto into traditional banking.<grok:render card_id="67eb94" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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#### 5. **Structured Notes Linked to Bitcoin ETFs**
- **Description**: Derivative-style investment notes tied to BlackRock's IBIT ETF, offering leveraged exposure to Bitcoin's price over multi-year horizons. For example, one product provides 1.5x amplified returns if Bitcoin drops in 2026 but surges by 2028 (aligned with halving cycles), with uncapped upside, fixed returns if flat, and some downside protection. These are not FDIC-insured bank deposits.
- **Availability**: Proposed for institutional and accredited investors via SEC filings; sales could begin soon after approval.
- **Recent Developments**: Filed in November 2025; hailed by figures like Anthony Scaramucci as a "huge milestone" for Wall Street's crypto embrace.<grok:render card_id="36e936" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Similar to offerings from Morgan Stanley.
#### Additional Context and Limitations
- **No Direct Crypto Services**: JPMorgan explicitly avoids direct Bitcoin sales, custody, or trading due to regulatory and risk concerns (e.g., volatility, illicit use). Exposure is always indirect via ETFs, funds, or derivatives.<grok:render card_id="b28a14" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Expansion for Advisors**: In late November 2025, JPMorgan began offering new Bitcoin exposure options to financial advisors, broadening access within its network.<grok:render card_id="4b2afe" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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- **Broader Strategy**: These programs reflect JPMorgan's pivot toward blockchain (e.g., via JPM Coin stablecoin) while cautiously navigating Bitcoin. With $3+ trillion in assets, this signals mainstream adoption, though Dimon maintains, "I'm not a fan."<grok:render card_id="c3f6bd" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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For the latest details or eligibility, check chase.com or consult a JPMorgan advisor, as offerings evolve with regulations. If you're interested in direct Bitcoin ownership, platforms like BitcoinIRA provide alternatives outside traditional banking.<grok:render card_id="30e51a" card_type="citation_card" type="render_inline_citation">
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**Yes**, the state of Texas has purchased Bitcoin as part of its new Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, making it the first U.S. state to do so with public funds. On November 20, 2025, the Texas Comptroller's office allocated $5 million to BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF, acquiring approximately 57 BTC at a price of around $87,000 per coin. An additional $5 million has been approved for a future direct (self-custodied) Bitcoin purchase, bringing the total allocation to $10 million from general revenue. This move follows Senate Bill 21, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025, which authorized the reserve for assets with a market cap over $500 billion—like Bitcoin—to diversify state holdings and position Texas as a crypto leader.
The purchase came during a Bitcoin price dip, signaling long-term confidence despite volatility, and has been hailed by industry figures like Texas Blockchain Council President Lee Bratcher as the start of broader adoption. Critics, including some economists, argue it's a risky, lobbyist-driven bet on a speculative asset, but supporters see it as fiscal innovation akin to Texas's historical embrace of oil and gas. As of December 4, 2025, the ETF holding remains in place while self-custody infrastructure is finalized, with no further purchases reported yet.
Note the kst bouncing off zero for years


This is why we Bitcoin


Russia is a loser country full of losers
https://youtu.be/q0qvJfstDNw?si=cJ7w6U-EEn82WD6-
There's no way to kill Bitcoin that doesn't also kill the entire internet and maybe humanity like an asteroid taken out half the Earth
But if everybody made it illegal all over the world that would slow things down and certainly lower the price on a dollar basis
How do you know if you've over allocated to bitcoin
I realize I'm asking this question when the fear greed indexes a maximum fear
Mstr as an Nav below 1 today
Hypothetically you should sell Bitcoin to buy master today
I don't think a lot of people are going to be doing that
I've heard all of it
Crash crashy crashy McCrash a lot
https://river.com/invite?r=PZ5DAOQ2
The new supercharged thing is awesome
You can buy double if your DCA happens when you're below the 7-Day moving average