Genesis Block Day Giveaway!

The latest and greatest from the Bitcoin venture capital world.

Author

Mike Jarmuz
January 03, 2025

Yoooo!! January 3rd is here, which means it’s the biggest holiday in Bitcoin: Genesis Block Day! 🥳 

On this day 16 years ago, Bitcoin was born. Satoshi mined the very first Bitcoin block and kickstarted a revolution in money, freedom, and sovereignty. To mark this joyous occasion, we’re giving away a limited-edition 3D art set (entry details below).

As always, this newsletter is stacked with portfolio company updates, details on our current live deals (Daylight Computer, MagiSat, and Slice), and details on some big updates over at Thunder Funder Portal, where anyone can invest Bitcoin startups. Plus, Bitcoin job openings, upcoming events, and plenty more. Let’s dive in! 👇🏻

Details on how to enter below!

01/03/09 - The day Satoshi Nakamoto mined Bitcoin’s Genesis Block, officially setting in motion the largest monetary technical advancement since the adoption of gold. This achievement was more than a technical milestone—it was a statement concerning the future direction of humanity. Embedded in the genesis block data was a bold reminder of why Bitcoin needed to exist: “Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” Bitcoin was created to offer a better, fairer system—one that doesn’t rely on bailouts or central control. Today is also Proof-of-Keys day.

To celebrate, we’re giving away a limited-edition 3D art set crafted by our own Thunder Funder developer.

Here’s how to enter:

  1. Like & retweet this tweet

  2. Follow @ThunderFunderCF

The winner will be selected and announced on Monday, January 6th. Don’t miss out!

We’ve got three exciting opportunities live right now:

  • MagiSat: The premier marketplace for rare and unique Satoshis. If you’re into discovering and trading collectible sats, this is where the magic happens. Invest here.

  • Slice: Redefining the $455 billion digital advertising space. Slice rewards users for ad engagement and offers a customizable AI-powered search experience. They’re making advertising user-centric in a way no one else has dared. Invest here.

  • Daylight Computer: Building an ecosystem of next-generation e-readers designed to respect your health, attention, and freedom. These are not just tools—they’re a shift toward healthier, more humane tech. Invest here.

Exciting news from our RegCF platform, Thunder Funder:

  • The Joltz offering has almost met its minimum investment goal! Their Taproot Assets SDK and issuer dashboard allow issuers to mint and manage assets with ease. These tools help streamline operations for businesses looking to leverage Bitcoin’s Taproot Assets protocol. Their work is helping to bridge the gap between technical innovation and practical application.

  • The Orange Pill App offering is officially going live on Monday! The only app building a social media platform dedicated exclusively to Bitcoiners. Join them as they continue to pave the way building communities IRL.

Through RegCF, anyone can invest in private startups—no need to be an accredited investor. It’s democratizing access to the next generation of Bitcoin innovators.

Creating an account on Thunder Funder is easy! Sign up to build out your profile, interact with other users, earn badges, invest in exclusive Bitcoin startups, and contribute to the future of the ecosystem. Don’t miss out!

NgU Portfolio Updates.

Yo! If you’ve invested through Lightning Ventures, you receive confidential company updates as they come in. Below are some public updates from our beloved portfolio darlings. Please let us know if you are an investor and are not receiving company updates.

 ⚡ Orange Pill App now supports Nostr Login, allowing users to log in more privately. Combined with the option to pay for memberships in Bitcoin, it offers a secure way to "Stack Friends who Stack Sats."

 ⚡ Orange Pill App has announced a number of app updates planned for later this month, including a built-in LN wallet!

⚡ Zaprite's latest updates include Orqestra.io integration for automated USD-to-BTC conversions, inline credit card forms for Merchant X Checkouts, improved LNURL error reporting, and minor bug fixes.

⚡ Strike has implemented the EU's Travel Rule, requiring users to provide details about the source or destination of funds when transferring €1,000 or more to or from external wallets.

⚡ Strike has introduced USDT deposits and withdrawals via the TRON network for users in select countries, including Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Togo, and Vietnam. This move aims to enhance accessibility and affordability for regions facing financial instability.

⚡ Bitstack raises €5M to integrate Bitcoin into banking in France, offering euro accounts, VISA debit cards, and Bitcoin cashback by 2025. The funding will enhance app features for Bitcoin savings and transactions.

⚡ Foundation has introduced its third-generation device, Passport Prime, which is a personal security platform and signing device aimed at both first-time and experienced users. It comes with a hardware wallet, a multi-factor authenticator, an encrypted flash drive, and a secure app platform.

⚡️ Satoshi v1.0 is a new Bitcoin, Lightning, and Liquid wallet from Satoshi Money. It comes with buy and sell Bitcoin functionality and lets its users earn sats back rewards.

⚡ Wavlake, a Bitcoin-powered music streaming platform, has launched its mobile app. The public beta is now available for iOS and Android users.

⚡ CrowdHealth announces a partnership with Fold, offering Fold+ as part of CrowdHealth BTC memberships starting January 1, 2025. Additionally, excess funds in CrowdHealth accounts will be automatically swept into members' Fold accounts and converted to BTC, maximizing potential savings for participants.

Ready to Raise? Let’s Make It Happen.

If you’re a founder who is building on Bitcoin, are you ready to level up? At Lightning Ventures, we work with the best builders in the space, helping them connect with investors who share their passion on all things Bitcoin. Whether you’re developing on Lightning, exploring Taproot Assets, or crafting the next generation Bitcoin product, we want to hear from you.

Applying is easy — just fill out this form and tell us what you’re working on. We’re here to support bold ideas, spark big conversations, and help you find the right backers to fuel your vision. Let’s build the future together.

 👀 Bitcoin OG Trace Mayer is back from oblivion!

Need your fill of in-person Bitcoin action? Get ready, because the 2025 Bitcoin event calendar is heating up! From the sunny vibes of BitcoinDay Naples to the high-altitude energy of Bitcoin Medellin, there’s something for every Bitcoiner.

Our portfolio companies be hiring yo. Work in Bitcoin.

For the complete list of amazing companies and jobs in Bitcoin, be sure to keep an eye on Bitcoiner Jobs.