--- title: "Weekly Media Recap #36" date: 2024-04-01 author: BTCP Staff tags: ["Perception Research"] url: https://perception.to/bitcoin-media-research/weekly-media-recap-36 description: "Bitcoin, as covered in the mainstream media." image: https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/03/Blue-White-1.png --- # Weekly Media Recap #36 * * * **EOW closing BTC price:** $71,256 **Date range:** March 25 - March 31, 2024 **In this report:** - Bitcoin is Digital Cayenne Pepper - Finding the Next SBF - I Can't Believe It's Not Mining FUD! * * * ## Weekly Snapshot ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/04/Pika-Screenshot-Editor--3-.png) *The amount of mainstream media mentions last week. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/* ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/04/Pika-Screenshot-Editor--4-.png) *Sentiment analysis across all outlets. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/* ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/04/Pika-Screenshot-Editor--5-.png) *Leaderboard of the most published reporters/contributors last week. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/* * * * > This week's media recap is sponsored by [****Bitcoin Breakdown****](https://www.btcbreakdown.com/subscribe?ref=bitcoinperception.com). > > The best in Bitcoin, carefully curated by an alien from the future. > > [****Sign up for free here.****](https://www.btcbreakdown.com/subscribe?ref=bitcoinperception.com) > > Get the highest signal-to-noise ratio in the Bitcoin space. No clickbait, 100% free, unsubscribe anytime. * * * ## Main Topics of the Week ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-31-at-11.07.55-AM.png) ### Bitcoin is Digital Cayenne Pepper The more mainstream Bitcoin gets, the more fun it is to write these reports each week. Case in point: CNBC [promoting BTC](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/25/blackrock-says-bitcoin-will-be-a-good-portfolio-diversifier-despite-its-recent-rally-with-stocks.html?ref=cms.perception.to) portfolio diversification using an analogy comparing a strategic Bitcoin investment to adding [cayenne pepper](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/27/crypto-is-like-cayenne-pepper-expert-says-a-little-goes-a-long-way.html?ref=cms.perception.to) for just the right amount of kick. This analogy not only highlights how the financial segment of mainstream media is promoting Bitcoin but also shows the growing acceptance of allocating 1-3% to Bitcoin as a smart strategy to boost portfolio returns with manageable risk. That's a big step. Over in the UK, the [Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/f4a96a07-0b2a-4fbc-af63-21db10e6ebc8?ref=cms.perception.to) has noticed an increasing sense of FOMO among investors. They've launched a survey to gauge their readers' interest in Bitcoin exposure. I'll be following closely to see what stories come out as a result. * * * ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-31-at-11.10.43-AM.png) ### Finding the Next SBF This week, all eyes were on SBF's sentencing, sparking a flurry of speculation about potential outcomes and [*even the prison*](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13240491/sam-bankman-fried-california-medium-security-prison.html?ref=cms.perception.to) he might be sent to. While the coverage of the actual sentencing has been exhaustive, I'll spare you the recap and highlight an interesting shift: It appears some media outlets are already scouting the next big story, with [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2024/03/25/who-is-do-kwon-crypto-ceo-whose-coin-lost-40-billion-in-2022-facing-civil-fraud-trial/?ref=cms.perception.to) and the [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2024/03/25/business/terraform-labs-founder-built-house-of-cards-as-sec-crypto-fraud-trial-begins/?ref=cms.perception.to) spotlighting Do Kwon. This speculative move makes sense knowing how much attention was put on SBF just since 2023. Covering the next 'crypto fraud' scandal is great if you're in the attention-grabbing business: ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.13.02-PM.png) *Volume of SBF coverage mentioning Bitcoin since 1/1/2023.* Something else worth mentioning is how Bitcoin just finds itself entangled in this negative coverage by virtue of being the market leader. > Bitcoin found itself entangled in SBF's sentencing on Friday. > > Interestingly, it's the only cryptocurrency specifically mentioned by the MSM regarding the stolen funds in this case. > > Guess that's what being number one entails. [pic.twitter.com/D9FVnDKGXC](https://t.co/D9FVnDKGXC?ref=cms.perception.to) > > — Bitcoin Perception 🗞️ 📊 (@BTCPerception) [March 30, 2024](https://twitter.com/BTCPerception/status/1773974782003847389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=cms.perception.to) * * * ![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-31-at-11.12.56-AM.png) ### I Can't Believe It's Not Mining FUD! This week saw a diverse range of mining-related stories, none of which dominated headlines but each offering a unique perspective. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/legal/crypto-miner-pennsylvania-hit-with-lawsuit-over-pollution-bitcoin-mine-2024-03-26/?ref=cms.perception.to) wrote about how an environmental community group sued Stronghold Digital Mining, claiming the company's bitcoin mine in northeastern Pennsylvania that burns waste coal and old tires for energy is polluting nearby communities with dangerous chemicals. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-26/crypto-miner-bitdeer-in-talks-with-private-credit-for-capital?ref=cms.perception.to) wrote about how Bitdeer are in talks with private credit firms for capital, [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/26/texan-bitcoin-miner-giga-partners-with-phoenix-global-in-argentina.html?ref=cms.perception.to) covered how Texan bitcoiners are starting to mine in Argentina, and [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/03/25/bitcoin-mining-unlocks-icelands-924-million-food-import-gap/?ref=cms.perception.to) offered a nuanced perspective on Iceland: its rich renewable energy attracts Bitcoin miners, yet the nation struggles with food self-sufficiency, relying on imports for essentials like grains and vegetables. This variety showcases how mining's portrayal isn't uniform across outlets but varies greatly depending on individual reporters and their chosen narratives. While I recognize this is a limited sample, it reinforces my observation that sections of the mainstream press are increasingly open to discussing mining from various angles. It's encouraging not just that reporters are eager to explore these stories, but that their pieces are making it to publication. A positive sign for the mining discourse. * * *