8-7-2025
Roman Storm was found guilty, but the judge signaled grounds for appeal. Solomon Brothers launched a bizarre claim on dormant Bitcoin. Trump wants crypto in 401(k)s. A UK oil firm turns to mining stranded gas. Mullvad now takes Lightning for VPN service.
Roman Storm was found guilty on one charge—conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. But the judge herself openly said it’s the most appeal-able charge of the three, and she denied the prosecution’s motion to throw him in jail while he waits for sentencing. The charge hinges on interpreting software development as money transmission, which is absurd. Roman Storm built a tool, not a bank. If this stands, the precedent could freeze innovation in this space for years. But I do have hope. The judge laid breadcrumbs for an appeal, and the community needs to rally around him.
And now . . . ZOMBLES! Solomon Brothers—yes, the failed firm from 1991 (not 2008 as I stated in the episode - my bad)—apparently came back from the grave with OP_RETURN notices to dormant Bitcoin wallets. They’re invoking some legal doctrine of “abandonment,” giving wallet holders 90 days to prove ownership or risk forfeiture. This reeks of Craig Wright tactics, mixed with state-level legal theater. And guess what? Some people actually moved coins in response because fear is a hell of a drug. That’s the worst part. It gives legitimacy to the stunt. But let me be clear: if you don’t have the private keys, you don’t own the Bitcoin. Period. This is "fear marketing" and it's reprehensible but don’t underestimate its potential for FUD. Expect headlines like “Wall Street Firm Claims Half of Bitcoin.” Laugh it off, but keep your eye on it.
Then there’s Trump, coming in hot with an executive order to allow crypto in 401(k) plans. Yeah. You read that right. The Department of Labor will reevaluate restrictions on alternative assets in retirement portfolios, including Bitcoin. It’s a big deal. The 401(k) market is $12.5 trillion. That’s where Main Street keeps its nest eggs. For Bitcoin to break into that space—legitimately, through retirement channels—is massive. But let’s be honest: it’ll also bring a new altcoin casino to the party. Advisors still don’t know the difference between Bitcoin and a token called GigaPetCoin. So we’re gonna get an alt season with boomers. Brace yourself.
On the other side of the Atlantic, UK-based Union Jack Oil is planning to mine Bitcoin with stranded natural gas. They’ve got a 200-billion-cubic-foot site and are cutting a deal with a Texas firm to monetize that energy. It’s the good play: monetize the gas, build cash flow before full field development, and maybe stack some BTC in the treasury. It mirrors what we’ve seen in El Salvador and Texas—Bitcoin bridging energy development where infrastructure gaps stall traditional growth.
And for those trying to live a little more sovereign, Mullvad just made it easier. They now accept Lightning payments for VPN service. That’s fast, private, and censorship-resistant. Mullvad was already one of the best VPNs out there, but this pushes them even deeper into the Bitcoin ethos. Open a channel, route some sats. This is how we keep building in the shadow of broken institutions. Tools like Mullvad, strategies like Union Jack’s, and the tenacity of people like Roman Storm is the path forward.
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Tell 'em BITCOINAND sent you.
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