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Ethereum News: Bhutan Expands Blockchain Adoption Through Ethereum Staking

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**Bhutan Moves 320 Ethereum to Figment, Deepening Its Digital Asset Strategy**

The Royal Government of Bhutan has taken a significant step in expanding its blockchain adoption by transferring 320 Ethereum (ETH), valued at approximately $970,000, to Figment, a leading institutional staking provider. This move highlights Bhutan’s ongoing commitment to integrating blockchain technology into its national systems and underscores its growing digital strategy.

**Institutional Ethereum Staking: Expanding Digital Horizons**

Figment specializes in providing institutional-grade staking services, offering secure and reliable blockchain participation. Bhutan’s decision to stake Ethereum through Figment is another milestone in its expanding blockchain journey, reflecting the nation’s trust in professional solutions to ensure security, compliance, and effective participation in the blockchain ecosystem.

**Migration of National Digital Identity to Ethereum**

In a broader context, Bhutan has recently started migrating its National Digital Identity (NDI) project to the Ethereum blockchain. This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen the self-sovereign identity of Bhutanese citizens by leveraging Ethereum’s decentralized infrastructure. According to data tracked by Onchain Lens and reported on November 27, 2025, the migration is expected to cover nearly 800,000 inhabitants and is on track to be completed by early 2026.

**A Broader Digital Finance Strategy**

Bhutan’s involvement with digital assets goes beyond Ethereum. The nation has previously added Bitcoin, BNB, and other digital currencies to its strategic reserves, particularly in connection with the pioneering Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project. Bhutan is also known for mining Bitcoin using its abundant hydropower resources, reportedly holding as much as 6,371 BTC. Such efforts demonstrate a diversified and forward-thinking approach to digital economics.

**Gelephu Mindfulness City: Driving Digital Innovation**

The GMC project stands at the heart of Bhutan’s digital ambition. By integrating blockchain technologies, including Ethereum staking, into urban development and economic planning, GMC is positioned to become a hub for digital innovation in the Himalayan region. Acknowledging digital assets as part of strategic reserves within GMC signals Bhutan’s long-term commitment to blockchain and advanced technologies.

**Empowering Citizens through Blockchain**

The migration of Bhutan’s NDI system to Ethereum sets an important precedent, enabling citizens to have greater control over their personal data while enhancing privacy and security. By providing self-sovereign digital identity on a blockchain, Bhutan is empowering its people and establishing a model that other countries may follow as they pursue similar digital transformations.

**A Role Model for Blockchain Adoption**

Bhutan’s proactive embrace of blockchain technology, from digital identity management to crypto reserves and Ethereum staking, makes it a leader among developing nations. As a small country leveraging cutting-edge technology for national development, Bhutan serves as an inspiration for others seeking to integrate blockchain into governance and economic growth.

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*Bhutan’s latest move into Ethereum staking reflects a larger global trend where nations are exploring blockchain for public services and innovation. As the world watches, Bhutan continues to demonstrate how digital assets and blockchain infrastructure can be harnessed for long-term national benefit.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/ethereum/ethereum-news-bhutan-expands-blockchain-adoption-through-ethereum-staking/

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Best Altcoins to Watch Include Floki, SHIB as Apeing Rises

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Crypto Presales Apeing, FLOKI, and SHIB battle for attention. Explore why Apeing’s whitelist could make it one of the best 1000x altcoins while others lag. How have crypto wallet providers become key players in acquisitions, and what role do they play in helping financial firms broaden their digital offerings? These wallets serve as essential infrastructure for holding, managing, and transferring blockchain-based assets, such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized assets. That uncertainty shines a spotlight on altcoins again. Memecoins like FLOKI and Shiba Inu are feeling the hype: FLOKI trades near $0. 000049 with $49M volume, while SHIB jumps about 2. 5 % on $135M volume. When the giants wobble, altcoins often find their moment. Many now hunt for the best 1000x altcoins, the tokens with explosive potential beyond the noise. Among newcomers and legacy memes, Apeing stands out. With its whistle‑clean community, built-in utility goals, and early whitelist access, Apeing feels like the kind of project that could pop before the hype train flattens. This combination of a strong, engaged community, clear utility objectives, and strategic early access gives Apeing the potential to pop before the typical hype train flattens, making it a project worth keeping a close eye on as it could be poised for explosive gains in the near future. Apeing: Why This Could Be Among the Best 1000x Altcoins to Watch Apeing embodies itself as a frontrunner among the best 1000x altcoins by giving early supporters a strategic entry. The Apeing whitelist offers front‑row access to PEING tokens, ensuring allocation before hype hits full tilt. PEING combines meme‑coin flavor with real community culture, security audits, and a roadmap promising actual utility, not just hype. That mix appeals to degens, devs, and analysts alike. Getting onto the Apeing Whitelist isn’t just about being early; it’s about positioning before the crowd realizes a move is happening. Early apes can secure tokens at lower entry prices, reducing overpay risk and catching upside before mass demand inflates price. Countdown to Stage 1: Secure Your Spot Before the Rush By locking in a whitelist spot early, participants get a crucial head start, positioning themselves ahead of the momentum instead of chasing it later. The process is simple: visit the official portal, enter your email, and complete the verification. Skip the chaos, scams, and bots. Apeing provides a clear and secure path to early access. As Apeing gains traction in crypto circles for 2025, demand for whitelist spots is rapidly increasing. While projections suggest the potential for significant returns, they come with risks, and investors should always be cautious. With Stage 1 offering a limited token supply, securing a whitelist spot gives you a distinct advantage for early, cost-effective entry. Stage 1 also offers priority allocation, ensuring those who move quickly capture the maximum upside potential. Community engagement is at its peak during this phase, with real-time updates, clear instructions, and direct access to developers, making it a seamless experience for newcomers and seasoned apes alike. FLOKI: Solana-Based Meme Energy with Real Engagement FLOKI trades at approximately $0. 000048, down about 0. 7% in the last 24 hours, while volume stays healthy at roughly $49M. Its market cap sits near $468M, with 9. 53T coins circulating, a massive supply, but also a huge community base. With over 561K holders and a widely shared “Viking” vibe, FLOKI maintains strong social momentum. On-chain metrics show price oscillating between $0. 0000469 and $0. 0000494, as traders test support zones. Analysts are eyeing new institutional products like ETPs (exchange-traded products) tied to FLOKI, along with aggressive marketing moves, as potential catalysts for a bounce. Still, FLOKI remains a classic high-supply meme coin. The sheer supply size means any big rally needs enormous demand. For some investors, that sounds like a rocket; for others, like a wild gamble. Shiba Inu (HIB): The Classic Meme Giant Searching for Another Second Act SHIB currently trades around $0. 0000083, rising 3% over the last day on volume of about $135M. It holds a market cap near $5. 08B, with 589. 24T tokens circulating. Price recently bounced between $0. 00000805 and $0. 00000863, as traders reacted to renewed accumulation signals and bullish sentiment. The community remains massive, with roughly 2. 88M holders showing persistent interest. Despite its size, SHIB faces structural challenges. Its enormous supply means even a dramatic rally won’t easily push the price high. Additionally, large token dumps or whale sells can swing the price hard, making SHIB volatile and unpredictable. Final Thoughts: Legacy Memes vs. New‑Age Momentum FLOKI and SHIB each represent different sides of the memecoin spectrum. FLOKI brings Solana‑driven hype, a strong community, and a modest market cap, but carries dilution risk due to high supply. SHIB delivers massive brand recognition and liquidity, yet its vast supply and whale‑heavy dynamics limit long-term price potential. That makes Apeing feel like a wild card, but a promising one. With its whitelist access, balanced tokenomics, and transparent community-first model, Apeing may be among the next wave of best 1000x altcoins. For those who move while others wait, Apeing could offer a rare mix of culture, utility, and upside. For More Information: Website: Visit the Official Apeing Website Telegram: Join the Apeing Telegram Channel Twitter: ) Frequently Asked Questions About the Best 1000x Altcoins What does “best 1000x altcoins” even mean? It refers to altcoins with the potential to multiply in value by 1000 times, often driven by low supply, early access, utility, or explosive community growth. Why is Apeing considered a top pick? Apeing offers early whitelist access, tight token allocation, a clear roadmap, and community focus, a mix that can deliver outsized gains if interest spikes. Can FLOKI still 1000x despite its large supply? It’s unlikely because FLOKI’s huge circulating supply would need massive demand to move the price. Gains are limited unless demand surges significantly. This publication is sponsored and written by a third party. Coindoo does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or any other materials on this page. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before engaging in any cryptocurrency-related actions. Coindoo will not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any damages or losses resulting from the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned. Always do your own researchs. Author Alexander Zdravkov is a person who always looks for the logic behind things. He has more than 3 years of experience in the crypto space, where he skillfully identifies new trends in the world of digital currencies. Whether providing in-depth analysis or daily reports on all topics, his deep understanding and enthusiasm for what he does make him a valuable member of the team. Related stories.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/best-altcoins-to-watch-include-floki-shib-as-apeing-rises/

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America Is Finally Falling in Love With Amtrak. The Tracks Can’t Keep Up

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As millions of Americans crowd highways and airports this Thanksgiving week, Amtrak is enjoying an unexpected surge: a record 36. 2 million passengers in fiscal year 2025, up a remarkable 10 percent from the year prior. The company calls it a “historic milestone” for U. S. public transportation. “These results show what’s possible when we lead with purpose,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement shared with Newsweek. But while ridership is surging, the country’s aging rail infrastructure remains far from ready to meet the demand. Amtrak’s popularity spike comes as the broader travel industry cools. According to the 2025 Deloitte Holiday Travel Survey, more than half of Americans plan to travel between Thanksgiving and early January, the highest intent in five years, but they’re spending less overall. Average trip budgets are down 18 percent, and many travelers are choosing to drive or take the train instead of flying to save money. That shift is benefiting Amtrak, whose fares are typically lower than airfare on short routes and appeal to cost-conscious travelers tired of packed airports and rising ticket prices. “These numbers show that Americans want more train travel, not less,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said. Yet as more travelers rediscover rail, experts warn the U. S. lacks the infrastructure needed to sustain that momentum, to say nothing of the political will. John Robert Smith, former chairman of Amtrak’s board and longtime chair of Transportation for America, said the country’s failure to modernize its rail network stems from decades of policy neglect. “National leaders often ask why we can’t have passenger rail service like Europe or Asia,” Smith told Newsweek. “The simple answer is that those governments chose to invest in passenger rail as a vital form of connectivity. In this country, we haven’t done that.” Smith, who also served as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi, recalled that when he joined the Amtrak board in 2002, “the U. S. was spending more money collecting roadkill from highways than on the entire national passenger rail system.” The result, he said, is a “highway-centric nation” that never matched that investment with comparable support for rail. America’s Rail Gap Is Widening That imbalance has left the U. S. far behind its global peers. China has built more than 25, 000 miles of high-speed rail since 2008, while France’s TGV network regularly runs trains above 180 mph. By contrast, no Amtrak line meets international high-speed standards. A May 2025 Bechtel Group report said the U. S. has struggled to advance high-speed rail because of inconsistent funding, slow and fragmented permitting, complex land acquisition, and delivery systems that have not kept pace with the scale of the projects. “We’ve been trying to develop high-speed rail in the U. S. for a long time. We have not really succeeded,” said Eric Goldwyn, a transportation and land-use professor at NYU’s Marron Institute, in comments to the outlet SmartCitiesDive. “The biggest barrier has been funding.” Funding has long defined the modern Amtrak era. Joe Biden’s 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $66 billion for rail the largest federal investment since Amtrak’s founding in 1971. But four years later, much of the money remains tied up in planning, permitting and negotiations with states and private freight owners. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, fewer than a dozen major rail projects have moved beyond preliminary design, and only a small number, such as the Gateway Tunnel between New York and New Jersey and parts of the Chicago Hub Improvement Program, have broken ground. (The Trump administration said it was shutting down Gateway because it was a “Democrat project,” despite the infrastructure improvements being critical for the nation’s biggest economy.) Smith said the uneven progress illustrates a larger issue. “We made a historic promise with the infrastructure bill, but we haven’t matched it with the urgency or coordination it demands,” he said. “The money is there, but the willpower to execute at scale is not. Until we treat rail as essential infrastructure like highways or airports we will keep falling behind our global peers.” Meanwhile, expectations are shifting. The Deloitte survey found that Generation Z and millennials now make up half of all U. S. holiday travelers, a generational change that is reshaping not only where Americans go but how they get there. Younger travelers are gravitating toward more affordable, lower-carbon options and increasingly see rail as a convenient, environmentally friendly alternative. Momentum Is Growing Last year, 1. 2 million people traveled by train for Thanksgiving, far fewer than the roughly 18 million who flew, but experts say the trend line is changing. Amtrak’s bookings for the 2025 holiday season are already up by double digits compared with last year, with Northeast Corridor routes selling out days ahead. “People are rediscovering something that should never have been forgotten,” Smith said. “Rail connects people in a way that air travel never will. It ties communities together.” For Amtrak and rail advocates, the ridership boom is both a warning and an opportunity. Air travel continues to deteriorate, and federal data shows consumer complaints against U. S. airlines hit a record high in 2024. Rail is becoming increasingly attractive as a result. “If Amtrak’s success this year shows anything, it’s that demand is not the issue,” Smith said. “We’ve reached a point where people want the train, but the infrastructure to support them is not there yet.” Amtrak officials say the gap is starting to narrow. The company has committed more than $22 billion in federal infrastructure funds to replace aging bridges, tunnels and trainsets as part of a sweeping modernization plan focused on long-distance service and its busiest corridors. One early win has emerged along the Gulf Coast, where Amtrak’s restored service between New Orleans and Mobile has exceeded expectations, doubling and in some cases tripling early ridership and revenue projections. Smith called the route “a bellwether for what passenger rail can become nationwide, not just for mobility but for economic development in every town it serves.” What Comes Next for Amtrak Although previous administrations have faced criticism for slow progress on rail modernization, there is growing agreement that Amtrak’s survival and its recent growth rest on a rare source of political unity. Earlier this year, the Trump administration’s fiscal 2026 transportation budget proposed flat funding for Amtrak at about $2. 4 billion. Rail advocates described it as a continued commitment to the national network. The plan increases support for long-distance routes while reducing federal assistance for the critical Northeast Corridor, a shift officials say reflects stronger revenue on that corridor after record ticket sales. “After decades of cuts and uncertainty, even flat funding is a sign of bipartisan recognition that rail matters,” said Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “With predictable investment, trains can give Americans a safer and more efficient travel alternative to congested roads and highways.” Transportation advocates see that as evidence of momentum increasingly crossing party lines. “We’re seeing a growing bipartisan recognition that rail is an important piece of the U. S. transportation network,” Mathews said. For Smith, the lesson is straightforward: Americans have decided they want passenger rail. The question now is whether Washington will meet that demand. “We’re finally at a point where people want the train,” he said. “The next question is whether we will build the country to match that demand.”.
https://www.newsweek.com/america-is-finally-falling-in-love-with-amtrak-the-tracks-cant-keep-up-11110010

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Why BlockchainFX ($BFX) Is Emerging as One of the Best Cryptos Under $1 This Season

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Crypto Presales Sometimes an opportunity in the market arrives that feels timed perfectly with what traders have been waiting for. It might begin with a simple question such as what if a single platform finally connected traditional finance with crypto in a way that worked for everyone. It is this type of practical problem solving that often sparks the next major wave of adoption. Across the market, several new presales have started gaining attention as investors explore early entries before the next market rotation. Projects like Remittix, Bitcoin Hyper, Snorter Token, Best Wallet Token, and Little Pepe are actively expanding their communities with new features and ambitious goals. Activity is increasing across multiple sectors, signaling a rising appetite for strong presale opportunities among both retail and mid-size investors. At the center of this rising momentum is BlockchainFX (FX). The project has become one of the strongest contenders among the top crypto presales, best cryptos under $1, and best cryptos to buy in November due to its powerful trading infrastructure, expanding real-world utilities, and exceptional presale performance. This article will cover the developments and updates for BlockchainFX (FX), Remittix, Bitcoin Hyper, Snorter Token, Best Wallet Token, and Little Pepe. 1. BlockchainFX (FX): A Standout Performer Among the Best Crypto Presales Today BlockchainFX (FX) continues to gain traction globally and has already attracted more than 18, 475 participants. The presale has raised 11, 495, 541. 44 dollars, completing 95. 79 percent of its 12 million dollar softcap, presenting a strong signal of investor confidence. The project delivers practical solutions to long-standing inefficiencies in trading while giving holders ways to earn daily rewards from platform activity. Below are the core value points that define BlockchainFX as one of the most promising entries among the best crypto presales under 1 dollar. Unified Global Trading Hub for 500+ Assets BlockchainFX brings together crypto, forex, stocks, commodities, ETFs, futures, options, and bonds inside one platform. Investors are able to move between more than 500 assets without repeatedly changing brokers, blockchains, or applications. This integrated model solves a real problem in modern trading where users often need multiple accounts just to access basic markets. A unified trading hub simplifies execution and gives traders more control during volatile market events. Dual Rewards in BFX and USDT One of the strongest features driving attention is the platform’s reward distribution model. Holders earn daily rewards in both BFX and USDT which come from as much as 70 percent of all trading fees that the platform redistributes to its community. This dual income flow creates consistent earning potential, even for people who prefer a passive approach rather than active trading. The reward system is structured to benefit long term holders and contributes to a strong foundation for ecosystem loyalty. BlockchainFX Visa Card for Global Spending The BlockchainFX Visa Card is a major advancement for real world usability. It links directly to user trading accounts and allows spending in stores, online, and across international locations. Users gain instant access to profits, receive cashback style incentives, and avoid complicated conversion processes. The card positions BlockchainFX not only as a trading ecosystem but also as a lifestyle oriented brand that fits into everyday financial activities. BF70 Bonus: The Most Aggressive Token Offer Released So Far The BF70 bonus code provides a significant advantage for new buyers with an additional 70 percent in tokens. The market may be experiencing temporary corrections, but this environment often provides ideal opportunities for strategic entries at lower cost. With the BF70 incentive, participants receive a considerably larger position before listing, enhancing long term upside potential. It stands out as one of the most impactful presale incentives currently available. One Thousand Dollar Investment Scenario Using BF70 The presale price remains at 0. 03 dollars. One thousand dollars divided by the presale price gives 33, 333. 33 BFX tokens. The BF70 bonus adds 70 percent which equals 23, 333. 33 additional tokens. The total becomes 56, 666. 66 BFX tokens. At the 0. 05 dollar listing price, the position would be valued at 2, 833. 33 dollars. This reflects a potential gain of approximately 183 percent before factoring in future platform growth or daily reward distributions. Presale Structure and Long Term Framework BlockchainFX operates on Ethereum with a total supply of 3. 5 billion tokens and a target listing price of 0. 05 dollars. The current presale stage maintains a 0. 03 dollar token price while surpassing 11. 4 million dollars in commitments. Early entrants benefit from a sizable advantage before public liquidity opens. Any unsold tokens will be burned and liquidity will be locked after launch which increases transparency and strengthens market trust. 2. Remittix Remittix focuses on enhancing global payments with blockchain backed transfers. The project aims to improve cross border transactions through speed, lower fees, and improved accessibility. Its presale has attracted interest from users in regions where remittance costs traditionally reduce earnings, making the token appealing for practical day to day use. 3. Bitcoin Hyper Bitcoin Hyper combines high speed blockchain performance with familiar Bitcoin styled branding. The project emphasizes faster confirmations, higher throughput, and a more responsive architecture for individuals who enjoy the Bitcoin narrative but want enhanced technical capabilities. Its presale has been gaining interest from performance focused investors. 4. Snorter Token Snorter Token blends entertainment, trading incentives, and community centric features into one ecosystem. The token captures attention through humor driven branding while offering tools and activities that keep the community engaged. Its presale benefits from strong participation among newcomers and meme friendly audiences. 5. Best Wallet Token Best Wallet Token supports a multi purpose crypto wallet designed for tracking, storing, swapping, and staking assets. The token serves as a gateway to premium wallet utilities and ecosystem benefits. Early buyers see potential in the platform’s integration of both DeFi tools and traditional portfolio management functions. 6. Little Pepe Little Pepe delivers a community first meme token experience with added features such as controlled burning events to increase scarcity. Strong community activity and consistent updates have helped the project develop momentum during its presale phase. Why Early Participation in the BFX Presale Presents Strong Strategic Value BlockchainFX offers real utility from the moment users enter the ecosystem. The ability to trade across global financial markets, earn daily rewards in two assets, and spend through a dedicated Visa card positions the project ahead of many presales that are still in conceptual stages. The presale structure, combined with the BF70 bonus, gives early supporters significant growth potential and practical value at the same time. Where many presales rely solely on branding or speculation, BlockchainFX delivers infrastructure that traders can use immediately. This blend of practicality and strong reward mechanics sets it apart within the current lineup of competitive presale options. BFX Listed As The Top Crypto Presale of 2025 All of the projects covered here contribute to the growing enthusiasm surrounding the best crypto presales and best cryptos under 1 dollar. Each brings its own direction and potential based on utility, community strength, or innovative concepts. However, BlockchainFX stands in a unique category due to its multi asset trading environment, daily dual reward system, Visa card utility, and one of the highest performing presales currently active. With momentum continuing across its investor base and strong incentives like the BF70 bonus, BlockchainFX presents a compelling early stage opportunity for buyers seeking strong long term value and continuous ecosystem benefits. For More Information: Website: X: Telegram Chat: This publication is sponsored and written by a third party. Coindoo does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or any other materials on this page. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before engaging in any cryptocurrency-related actions. Coindoo will not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any damages or losses resulting from the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned. Always do your own researchs. Author Krasimir Rusev is a journalist with many years of experience in covering cryptocurrencies and financial markets. He specializes in analysis, news, and forecasts for digital assets, providing readers with in-depth and reliable information on the latest market trends. His expertise and professionalism make him a valuable source of information for investors, traders, and anyone who follows the dynamics of the crypto world. Related stories.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/why-blockchainfx-bfx-is-emerging-as-one-of-the-best-cryptos-under-1-this-season/

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U.S. Army secretary warned Ukraine of imminent defeat while pushing initial peace plan

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NBC News ^ | Nov 25, 2025 | Dan De Luce, Courtney Kube and Abigail Williams Posted on by McGruff In a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Kyiv last week, U. S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll delivered a grim assessment. Driscoll told his counterparts their troops faced a dire situation on the battlefield and would suffer an imminent defeat against Russian forces, two sources with knowledge of the matter told NBC News. The Russians were ramping up the scale and pace of their aerial attacks, and they had the ability to fight on indefinitely, Driscoll told them, according to the sources. The situation for Ukraine would only get worse over time, he continued, and it was better to negotiate a peace settlement now rather than end up in an even weaker position in the future. And there was more bad news. The U. S. delegation also said America’s defense industry could not keep supplying Ukraine with the weapons and air defenses at the rate needed to protect the country’s infrastructure and population, the sources said. (Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews. com . TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Russia; Ukraine; War KEYWORDS: 1 posted on by McGruff Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4354667/posts

economy, politics, technology

Trump issues Executive Order creating Genesis Mission AI Action Plan for America

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Section 1. Purpose. From the founding of our Republic, scientific discovery and technological innovation have driven American progress and prosperity. Today, America is in a race for global technology dominance in the development of artificial intelligence (AI), an important frontier of scientific discovery and economic growth. To that end, my Administration has taken a number of actions to win that race, including issuing multiple Executive Orders and implementing America’s AI Action Plan, which recognizes the need to invest in AI-enabled science to accelerate scientific advancement. In this pivotal moment, the challenges we face require a historic national effort, comparable in urgency and ambition to the Manhattan Project that was instrumental to our victory in World War II and was a critical basis for the foundation of the Department of Energy (DOE) and its national laboratories. This order launches the “Genesis Mission” as a dedicated, coordinated national effort to unleash a new age of AI‑accelerated innovation and discovery that can solve the most challenging problems of this century. The Genesis Mission will build an integrated AI platform to harness Federal scientific datasets the world’s largest collection of such datasets, developed over decades of Federal investments to train scientific foundation models and create AI agents to test new hypotheses, automate research workflows, and accelerate scientific breakthroughs. The Genesis Mission will bring together our Nation’s research and development resources combining the efforts of brilliant American scientists, including those at our national laboratories, with pioneering American businesses; world-renowned universities; and existing research infrastructure, data repositories, production plants, and national security sites to achieve dramatic acceleration in AI development and utilization. We will harness for the benefit of our Nation the revolution underway in computing, and build on decades of innovation in semiconductors and high-performance computing. The Genesis Mission will dramatically accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen national security, secure energy dominance, enhance workforce productivity, and multiply the return on taxpayer investment into research and development, thereby furthering America’s technological dominance and global strategic leadership.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146962/trump-ai-genesis-mission-executive-order

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45 Southeastern PA Communities Blaze Clean Energy Path

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Nearly four dozen municipalities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania have committed to powering their facilities and vehicles with renewable energy. While the commitment to clean energy is commendable, a regional organization is calling on municipalities, businesses, faith-based organizations, charitable groups, and schools to take advantage of federal tax credits to undertake solar installations. To date, five municipalities in Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties have installed solar panels and arrays, dramatically cutting their energy costs. In its fourth year of solar power use, West Rockhill Township has completely offset the $16,000 annually in taxpayer expenses associated with the 84 megawatts used to power municipal operations, including local government buildings, parks, traffic infrastructure, and water wells. In addition, the 16. 3-square-mile Bucks County municipality has reduced carbon emissions by 644, 814 pounds, according to a 2025 presentation. Bill Sabey, a volunteer with Community Advocates and Ready for 100 Montgomery County, encourages municipalities to make the switch to solar power and take advantage of federal tax credits in the process. To qualify for the 30 percent federal tax credit, entities, including nonprofits, schools, faith-based groups, and commercial businesses, must start installation by July 4, 2026, or finish by the end of 2027. “By installing solar power systems and transitioning to clean energy, municipalities can significantly reduce carbon emissions, enhance public health by mitigating air pollution, set an example for the community, and save substantial amounts of money over time through lower energy costs,” Sabey said. “The move to solar energy is not only a financial decision, but also a public health, public safety, and environmental strategy. Moreover, it positions municipalities as leaders in sustainability, benefiting from the numerous financial, social, and environmental rewards that come with a greener energy future.” Community Advocates volunteers work with towns to set goals of transitioning to 100 percent clean renewable electricity by 2035. To date, 45 municipalities have adopted similar clean energy resolutions, which also includes reaching clean energy for heat and transportation by 2050 community-wide and developing a plan to get there. With solar installation incentives soon set to expire, Sabey hopes more communities get on board. Solar saves money and reduces reliance on other power sources Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert said in 2023 that the borough estimated saving $330,200 over 30 months or roughly $11,000 per month as a result of solar power. “Solar power allows Lansdale Borough to produce its own sustainable energy, reducing reliance on external sources. This independence is crucial as it helps shield the community from the volatile natural gas market,” Herbert said. “By investing in solar panels, the borough mitigates the risks associated with unpredictable energy prices, ensuring a stable and affordable energy supply for residents.” Doylestown Borough, earlier this year, finished a solar installation on its administration building roof and a section of its police station. The municipality received a one-time federal credit of $114,318, PECO rebates, and other solar incentives. Borough Manager John Davis said solar will save the borough more than one-third of its energy costs. Horsham Township announced in 2023 that the governing body had approved a solar project that would equip key buildings, including the municipal building, police station, community center, and public works building, with solar panels. “Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that will lower the township’s energy costs and help mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional energy sources,” according to Horsham’s 2023 State of Horsham report. Extra solar power pays Earlier this year, West Goshen Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Shaun Walsh said that the solar array installation on the public works building is expected to generate 312, 000 kWh of electricity in its first year. “This quantity exceeds the annual amount of power consumed by the Public Works building, hence the net metering requirement for this account,” Walsh wrote. “Meaning . we get paid for exporting power to the grid anytime our electricity generation is greater than our usage!” The array consists of 468 panels. The project cost $537,000, with total projected cost savings of $1,375,000 based on a 30-year expected life for the solar panels The project has a 10-year simple payback. The project is eligible for a federal rebate of 30 percent of the cost. To learn more about solar power installation funding help, grants and federal tax credits, visit Courtesy of Community Advocates for Clean Energy of Greater Philadelphia, via Katalinas Communications.
https://www.trentonian.com/2025/11/24/45-southeastern-pa-communities-blaze-clean-energy-path/

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Coinbase Supercharges Solana With High-Speed Vector Integration

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A breakout wave of Solana-driven onchain activity is accelerating as Coinbase moves to fuse Vector’s high-speed infrastructure into its platform, aiming to unlock faster discovery, deeper liquidity and relentless 24/7 execution for global crypto traders. Coinbase Pushes Into High-Velocity Solana Onchain Trading A surge in demand for faster, deeper onchain execution is reshaping the crypto [.] Source:.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/coinbase-supercharges-solana-with-high-speed-vector-integration/

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Voters Pass $28.8M School Bond In Lacey

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LACEY Voters have approved a $28,873,500 school bond referendum that district officials say will finally address long-standing roof failures and aging HVAC systems across all six schools. The measure appeared on the November 4 ballot after the Board of Education unanimously authorized it in July, and its passage marks a significant reversal from the much larger referendum defeated earlier this year. An analysis of the unofficial results of the election published by the Ocean County Clerk as of November 12 provides insight into the outcome. The records show that 13, 233 of Lacey’s 24, 429 registered voters cast a ballot on the question, with 7, 498 voting “yes” and 5, 735 voting “no.” The referendum passed with roughly 57 percent support, and just over half of all registered voters weighed in on the proposal. The result was close in total participation to the Township Committee race, which saw about 13, 450 individuals cast votes, indicating that most residents who turned out for local races also chose to vote on the bond issue. An estimated 217 voters passed over the ballot question. “The Lacey Township School District is thrilled to announce the successful passage of its November 4, 2025 facilities bond referendum,” shared district officials in a prepared statement. “Voters approved the measure by a significant margin of 1, 763 votes, authorizing $28,873,500 in critical infrastructure and capital improvements across all six district schools.” Acting Superintendent William Zylinski described the outcome as a clear expression of community confidence. “We are deeply grateful for the resounding support shown by the Lacey Township community,” he said. “This is not just a vote for infrastructure; it is a clear statement of support for the safety, efficiency, and future of our learning environments. The approval by a margin of 1, 763 votes demonstrates a community commitment to maintaining excellent schools.” The district emphasized that approval secures approximately $11. 5 million in state debt service aid funding that would have been unavailable had the referendum failed. Officials reiterated that the aid, combined with the maturation of older debt, means the district does not project a debt-service tax increase for residents. “This aid, combined with the strategic timing of the new bond coinciding with the maturity of previous debt, ensures that the district can undertake these essential, long-lasting projects with no projected debt service tax increase to our residents,” the district said in its statement. School officials also thanked voters for taking time to understand the proposal, noting, “We now shift our focus entirely to execution, and we look forward to moving swiftly into the bonding and construction phases to deliver on the promises made to our students, staff, and community.” The approval stands in striking contrast to the defeated three-question, $93. 5 million referendum put before voters in March. That earlier proposal included not only roof and HVAC work but also gym renovations, athletic facilities, extensive infrastructure upgrades, and a synthetic turf field. Opponents to both the March and current referendum argued the district had neglected building maintenance for years and accused officials of seeking an overextended financial commitment. Several critics, including members of the group Lacey Citizens for Responsible Government, also challenged the district’s messaging about tax impacts and raised concerns about transparency. District leaders countered throughout the year that the financial strain was the result of severe S-2 state aid reductions, not overspending. They also maintained that deferring major projects would only magnify long-term costs and eliminate the chance for the state to pay 40 percent of the debt service. In the same election that approved the bond measure, Lacey voters also ushered in significant change on the Board of Education. None of the three winners, Meg Forney, Brandon Hurley, and Steven Gouin, were incumbents. Their arrival on the nine-member board comes at a pivotal moment, as the district prepares for an extensive construction timeline and a new member must soon be appointed to fill the vacancy created by Scott Peters’ resignation earlier this year. With voter approval secured, the district will now begin the bonding process and move toward construction. As previously reported, multiple schools have been dealing with chronic roof leaks, including instances where buckets placed in hallways collected water during storms. HVAC systems in several buildings are nearing the end of their life cycle, raising concerns about efficiency, reliability, and overall climate control. According to earlier district presentations and prior Board-approved plans, work will be managed by Settembrino Architects, the firm previously contracted to guide the project.
https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/southern-ocean/voters-pass-28-8m-school-bond-in-lacey/

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Palm Coast Council’s Theresa Pontieri Calls for Stronger Controls on City Utility to Protect Against Privatization

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Note: This is one of two articles on the subject. See: “A Brief History of Palm Coast’s Water and Sewer Utility.” As more than a dozen states, including Florida, are encouraging the privatization of utilities, Palm Coast City Council member Theresa Pontieri wants new, pre-emptive guardrails protecting the city’s water and sewer utility from being bought by a private company. Palm Coast bought the water and sewer utility in 2003 for $82. 3 million. The utility is not for sale. Council members are not interested in a sale. No company has proposed buying the utility. But Pontieri is proposing that if the utility were to be considered for a sale, a non-binding referendum would be required first, as well as a supermajority of the five-member council before approval is ratified. Her colleagues are interested. The proposal, which would amend the city’s utility ordinance, will be discussed at a workshop in January. “We’re seeing across the country utilities being purchased up by private entities,” Pontieri said at Tuesday’s council meeting. “This is a very concerning thing for me, because it takes local control out of the hands of the residents of their own utilities, their own water. We know how valuable, particularly in the city, how valuable our water assets are, and we are seeing these types of assets being privatized around the country, and I think we need to protect that.” Pontieri’s proposal highlights an issue of great consequence to ratepayers: as utilities privatise, rates rise, and local control, including environmental oversight and transparency, diminishes. The issue has so far received little attention among the broader public. That attention spikes when it may be too late-when a utility is in the process of being privatized, as is the case now in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. In Minnesota, state regulators have approved the $6. 2 billion sale of Allete Corp. to BlackRock, a private equity firm. Allete was the former owner of Palm Coast’s water utility, and is the current owner, through subsidiaries, of all the remaining undeveloped land in Palm Coast’s Town Center. (See: “Behind BlackRock’s Deal to Buy Allete, Major Landholder in Palm Coast’s Town Center.”) Allete last month sued Palm Coast government, alleging the city’s water and sewer utility has failed the company, costing it two contracts to sell land in Town Center. It is unclear-and sheer speculation-if the lawsuit is part of BlackRock-related strategic positioning ahead of a play for the city’s utility. Electric, water and sewer rates have been increasing sharply in recent years across the country, particularly since 2022, and rising faster than the rate of inflation. Investment in aging infrastructure is a reason (and the leading reason in Palm Coast). But so is AI and data centers, which affect both power and water. So is climate change. So is private acquisition of utilities, a trend Florida lawmakers spurred. A 2022 study of 500 water utilities in the country concluded that private ownership is unquestionably the leading factor in driving up water and sewer rates, while “In states with regulations favorable to private providers, water utilities charge even higher prices.” Florida is among those states. In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation (SB 194) encouraging consolidation of utilities, and authorizing public utilities to use methods that boost their sale price, thus encouraging publicly owned utilities to sell. The bill was an invitation to privatization. “Given the potential issues with small water systems, states have looked into ways to encourage system consolidation,” a legislative analysis of the bill states. “One tool that has been used in other states is a concept called fair market valuation. Fair market valuation (FMV) is a regulatory tool that seeks to incentivize larger water utilities that may be better positioned to make investments in the system and may have better access to economies of scale, lower cost capital, and water and wastewater system expertise.” (See the bill’s full legislative analysis here.) At the time, 14 states had passed so-called “fair market value” legislation. Florida became the 15th. Such laws have “unleashed dozens of buyout attempts,” Stateline reported two years ago. “The deals provide a short-term cash boost for local governments, which can struggle to cover the cost of aging infrastructure. But critics say the public services and tax savings that governments might provide residents with the quick money don’t make up for the rate hikes, a phenomenon known as ‘taxing through the tap.’” “When we specifically look at what’s going on in Tallahassee as well,” Pontieri said, “we’re losing a lot of local control. We’re losing a lot of home rule. We need to keep as much local autonomy as possible.” If a future council were to sell the utility to a private company, transparency would plummet. Private companies are still required to be accountable to the state Public Service Commission, but local transparency into a private utility’s accounts would not be nearly as detailed. For example, today, all Palm Coast water utility records are public down to individual accounts, consumption and billing. That would not be the case with a private utility such as Florida Power and Light with electricity accounts. “So I would ask this council to give direction to our legal counsel to amend our ordinance,” Pontieri said, suggesting Alachua County as an example to follow. There, a supermajority of the local commission is required to approve a sale of the county’s public utility. The Alachua ordinance says the utility may be sold if there is a “public benefit” to the sale. Pontieri finds the words vague. She would add a requirement in Palm Coast that the sale would have to be preceded by a non-binding referendum. “I just want us to put in place some protections for our residents and that we keep our most valuable asset in the hands of our local community,” Pontieri said. Council members Charles Gambaro and Ty Miller are interested, but asked for a workshop first. It will have to wait until January: there is no council workshop in December.
https://flaglerlive.com/palm-coast-utility-privatization/