Private equity is targeting retirement accounts, Bitcoin mining could unlock 2+ gigawatts of stranded gas value, and AI will create a premium market for human-only film productions.
The executive order allowing private equity into retirement accounts represents "the bell being rung" according to Dave Collum and Rudy Havenstein. This move will enable private equity firms to offload their "dog shit that's not worth anything" into 401(k)s, creating what Rudy calls "exit liquidity for the billionaires." The timing is critical - private equity firms are already creating continuation funds to move assets from older funds into new ones, essentially running a Ponzi scheme to maintain the illusion of returns.
This development signals desperation in the private equity space, where firms need fresh capital from retail investors to sustain their model. As Dave notes, "funds of funds" create a situation where investors get hit with "two and twenties squared," crushing returns through layered fees. The prediction is that Ma and Pa Kettle's retirement savings will soon be funding these opaque, illiquid investments that have historically underperformed public markets while enriching fund managers.
Currently, only 0.5% to 1% of U.S. natural gas production is being flared, representing over two gigawatts of potential electrical generation capacity for Bitcoin mining. Chris Alfano predicts this entire market will be captured as oil and gas companies realize they can earn $13.50 per MCF mining Bitcoin versus the $1 or less they receive selling to pipelines in oversupplied markets like West Texas. The addressable market is even larger when including wells that are shut in due to uneconomic gas prices and pipeline-connected gas earning negative returns. 360 Energy is already proving this model works, with top 20 oil producers using Bitcoin mining to unlock millions in additional oil revenue by solving their gas disposal problems.
The prediction extends beyond the U.S. - the Middle East market is "four or five times larger," and South America presents similar opportunities. As more oil and gas companies recognize Bitcoin mining as a solution to their stranded gas problems rather than just a speculative investment, this gigawatt-scale deployment will accelerate over the next 24 months.
Within the next few years, entirely human-produced films will command a premium similar to how shooting on actual film is valued today versus digital, predicts Ali Webb of Forager. As AI tools become standard in production workflows, audiences will increasingly seek out and pay more for content created without any AI assistance. This shift is already beginning - major studios are using AI for everything from customer research to visual effects, creating a homogenized product that lacks authentic human creativity.
The prediction is that a new market will emerge for "certified human" productions, funded through innovative models like Forager's Bitcoin-backed bonds that separate artistic creation from investor pressure. Just as some directors today insist on shooting on film for its authentic look despite the extra cost and complexity, future filmmakers will market their work as "AI-free" to differentiate from the flood of AI-generated content. This premium tier will preserve traditional filmmaking crafts while the mainstream industry races toward cheaper, faster AI production methods.
Block's Proto division just shook up the $4-5 billion ASIC manufacturing duopoly with Rig, a 14.1 J/TH miner featuring the industry's first swappable hashboard design. The 800 TH/s unit addresses bitcoin miners' biggest pain point: being forced to buy entirely new machines for each upgrade cycle.
"Legacy hardware is not optimized for a lot of existing infrastructure," explains Proto Hardware Lead Thomas Templeton. The modular 9-hashboard design promises 15-20% savings on fleet refreshes while extending unit lifespans to 10 years—a game-changer for an industry where equipment typically becomes obsolete in 2-3 years.
Industry veterans are taking notice. "Nice to see a supplier actually listen to feedback from industry!" praised Upstream Data Founder Steve Barbour, highlighting the unit's power density and maintainability. JPMorgan analysts called it "compelling" with "near best-in-class efficiency."
Core Scientific is already hashing with their 15 EH/s order at their Dalton, Georgia facility, with bulk shipments expected in H2 2025. Proto also launched Fleet, an open-source management tool, signaling their commitment to miner-friendly innovation. This could finally force Bitmain and MicroBT to abandon their planned obsolescence model.
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