In an unexpected turn of events, longtime Bitcoin opponent on Capitol Hill, Elizabeth Warren, saw an orange light and literally raised a flag to praise the work of Bitcoin's anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, in celebration of its 15th anniversary. The network was launched.
Participating in the Capitol Flag Program, Senator Warren's office submitted a request to commemorate Nakamoto's achievement in creating the first “truly inclusive financial system,” with the colors of the United States raised over the Capitol on December 18, 2023 – the known date. To Bitcoiners as a HODL Day.
While the Massachusetts senator's sudden embrace of Bitcoin may seem surprising, her career-long rhetoric about fighting for the financially disadvantaged has finally crystallized within this concrete statement. As if speaking to her campaign to promise support for a working class negatively affected by corruption within both government and the banking sector, the certificate issued by the Architect of the Capitol in recognition of the flag refers to “new economic freedoms for populations previously ignored by the government.” Both private and public institutions” provided by Bitcoin Nakamoto.
Friends of the Senator's office noticed the presentation of the flag flying itself Bitcoin Magazine, PubKey, are holding a public event in New York City this evening, February 15, at 6:00 PM EST, to unveil not only the story of the flag, but the flag itself, complete with a dramatic reading of the infamous December saga. A November 18, 2013 post on BitcoinTalk that immortalized the word “HODL” within the Bitcoin lexicon from actor, comedian, and Bitcoin user TJ Miller. Prior to the event itself, X Spaces (formerly Twitter) was hosted by Bitcoin Magazine And PubKey at 4:30 PM EST will also tell the story of the Satoshi flag and Warren's endorsement. Just as in the mid-1770s, freedom-focused pubs like the PubKey play an important role in spreading the ideas and stories that shape the revolution.
Thomas Baccia, co-founder of PubKey, made a note of the senator's pivot when speaking with him Bitcoin Magazine. “This is a historic moment for how politicians in Washington view the promise and inclusivity of the Bitcoin protocol. What politicians do is far more important than what they say.” Her website describes her as “a leading voice for consumer protection, financial reform, and social justice,” and her latest act of promoting Satoshi's work is entirely consistent with her stated political mission.
Just a week before Warren ordered the flag to fly, the senator introduced legislation to give the Treasury Department more tools to restrict criminal use of Bitcoin, and made bold comments that they “need new laws to eliminate the use of cryptocurrencies to enable terrorist groups and rogue states.” and drug lords, ransomware gangs, and fraudsters to launder billions in stolen funds, evade sanctions, fund illegal weapons programs, and profit from devastating cyberattacks. She even went so far as to suggest creating an “anti-crypto army” in March last year, in her re-election bid. Warren co-wrote a letter to Fidelity CEO Abigail Johnson in May 2022 in which he raised concerns about Bitcoin's 401(k) status, stating that “investing in cryptocurrencies is a risky and speculative gamble, and we are concerned that Fidelity… You will make a decision.” These risks threaten the retirement savings of millions of Americans.
Now that US regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission have authorized approval of 11 bitcoin ETFs, including Fidelity's FBTC, Warren has changed her tune, recognizing the enormous economic freedom afforded by such new technology, and now joins a growing group of electors. Officials are throwing their names behind the Nakamoto Protocol.
Bitcoin Magazine and PubKey are encouraging Bitcoin users to note this change of heart by reaching out to Warren's office directly, as well as tagging her (formerly Twitter) with an X. handleHe thanked her for supporting Satoshi Nakamoto and recognizing him as a hero.
