Bitcoin Rally Hinges on Whales, NASA Eyes March Launch, and More

In a week marked by significant developments in tech, space, and gaming, several key stories are making headlines. Bitcoin's price has been holding steady around the mid-$60,000s, with small investors buying in, but the rally's success hinges on the participation of larger holders, known as "whales." Meanwhile, NASA's Artemis II mission is on track for a March 6 launch, and Microsoft's gaming chief Phil Spencer has announced his retirement after 38 years with the company.

In the cryptocurrency space, data from Santiment shows that small wallets holding less than 0.1 BTC have increased their share of supply to the highest since mid-2024, even as the price holds steady. However, larger holders with 10 to 10,000 bitcoins have reduced their positions since the October peak, which could impact the rally's success. As reported by CoinDesk, "retail demand alone cannot sustain rallies when big wallets are distributing into every recovery."

In other news, NASA's Artemis II mission is moving forward with plans to launch four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6. A second fueling test on the Space Launch System rocket ended successfully, with no significant leaks detected. The results give senior managers confidence to proceed with the launch, which is a crucial step towards establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface.

In the gaming world, Microsoft's Executive Vice President for Gaming Phil Spencer has announced his retirement after 38 years with the company. Spencer will remain in an advisory role through the summer to help with the transition, and Asha Sharma, an executive currently in charge of Microsoft's CoreAI division, will take his place. Xbox President Sarah Bond is also resigning from the company, and Matt Booty, the current Xbox Studios Head, is being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer.

Additionally, a controversy is brewing over Discord's age verification process, which has sparked concerns about user data and privacy. The platform plans to collect more government IDs as part of its global age verification process, which has raised eyebrows among users. Discord has attempted to reassure users that most won't have to show ID, instead relying on video selfies and AI to estimate ages.

In a surprising move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the founder of the Make America Health Again movement, has publicly backed President Trump's executive order to increase domestic production of glyphosate, a pesticide that the movement has vehemently opposed. The move has sparked outrage among MAHA members, who feel betrayed by Kennedy's sudden change of heart.

Overall, it's been a significant week in tech, space, and gaming, with several key stories making headlines. As the world continues to evolve and change, it's clear that innovation and progress will be driven by a complex interplay of factors, from cryptocurrency and space exploration to gaming and user data.