---
title: "Weekly Media Recap #43"
date: 2024-05-20
author: BTCP Staff
tags: ["Perception Research"]
url: https://perception.to/bitcoin-media-research/weekly-media-recap-43
description: "Bitcoin, as covered in the mainstream media."
image: https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Blue-White.png
---

# Weekly Media Recap #43

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**EOW closing BTC price:** $66,262

**Date range:** May 13 - May 19, 2024

**In this report:**

-   Spy Games and Security Concerns
-   The Influence of Inflation
-   BlackRock and Beyond

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## Weekly Snapshot

![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Pika-Screenshot-Editor.png)
*The amount of mainstream media mentions last week. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/*

![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Pika-Screenshot-Editor--1-.png)
*Sentiment analysis across all outlets. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/*

![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Pika-Screenshot-Editor--2-.png)
*Leaderboard of the most published reporters/contributors last week. Source: https://bitcoinperception.com/data/*

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## Main Topics of the Week

![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-19-at-8.53.17-AM.png)

### **Spy Games and Security Concerns**

Last week, we talked about how Bitcoin is becoming a hot topic in US presidential elections. But now, judging by recent media coverage, it's turning into a geopolitical tug-of-war.

Known for their skeptical take on Bitcoin mining, **Michael Forsythe** and **Gabriel J.X. Dance** from the ***New York Times*** [reported](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/13/us/bitcoin-mine-biden-ban.html?ref=cms.perception.to) that President Biden banned a Chinese Bitcoin mining operation near a U.S. nuclear missile base due to national security concerns.

**Niamh Rowe** from ***Fortune*** also [covered](https://fortune.com/crypto/2024/05/14/president-joe-biden-crypto-miner-wyoming-national-security-concerns/?ref=cms.perception.to) this story, pointing out that plenty of Chinese miners are still operating across the U.S.

**CNBC's** *Crypto World* team, including **Emily Glass** and **Tanaya Macheel**, also [explored](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/05/14/biden-bars-chinese-backed-miner-near-nuclear-missile-base-citing-spying-concerns-cnbc-crypto-world.html?ref=cms.perception.to) the espionage fears behind Biden's decision to bar the miner near the missile base.

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![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-19-at-8.55.57-AM.png)

### **The Influence of Inflation**

**Jack Denton** from **Barron's** [noted](https://www.barrons.com/articles/bitcoin-ethereum-price-crypto-markets-today-6896c2b0?ref=cms.perception.to) that Bitcoin prices soared above $65,000 after a cooler April inflation reading, which was echoed by **CNBC’s** **Tanaya Macheel.**

She [reported](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/15/crypto-market-today.html?ref=cms.perception.to) on Bitcoin’s rise due to "*easing inflation*", showing just how sensitive Bitcoin is to the perception of macroeconomic indicators.

Denton also pointed out how Bitcoin’s price gains mirrored the S&P 500 hitting record highs, while **Suzanne McGee** and **Hannah Lang** from **Reuters** [highlighted](https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/bitcoin-etfs-drew-bets-millenium-global-wisconsin-retirement-system-q1-2024-05-15/?ref=cms.perception.to) how entities like the Wisconsin Retirement System are betting on Bitcoin ETFs.

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![](https://cms.perception.to/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-19-at-9.08.12-AM.png)

### **BlackRock and Beyond**

***Financial Times*** journalists **Will Schmitt** and **Brooke Masters** [revealed](https://www.ft.com/content/3b80713e-41d1-4965-900e-4bb37b1dbc2c?ref=cms.perception.to) that BlackRock is on the verge of becoming the world's largest Bitcoin fund.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is still making the news after jumping into the Bitcoin ETF race, as [reported](https://www.ft.com/content/5bcd37ae-abd0-4eb4-8c23-b0ae1a7c5f84?ref=cms.perception.to) by **William Langley** and **Chan Ho-him** from the *Financial Times*.

Even though these ETFs haven't pulled in as much money as their U.S. counterparts, their approval and launch in various regions are still huge milestones in Bitcoin’s path to widespread acceptance.

On another front, **CNBC's** *Crypto World* team [reported](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/05/16/morgan-stanley-discloses-270-million-investment-grayscale-bitcoin-etf-crypto-world.html?ref=cms.perception.to) that Morgan Stanley disclosed a $270 million investment in the Grayscale Bitcoin ETF.

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