Tag: plans

  • Bitcoin Pepe price to jump soon as another firm plans major BTC purchases

    Bitcoin Pepe price to jump soon as another firm plans major BTC purchases

    Best crypto to buy as altcoin rotation favors low-caps: BRETT, BPEP, and TRX

    • With institutional adoption increasing, major cryptos are becoming less attractive to investors seeking outsized returns.
    • These investors are increasingly looking toward early-stage tokens such as Bitcoin Pepe.
    • The project’s presale has raised over $15.3 million.

    Bitcoin (BTC) dropped to a six-week low late Sunday, briefly falling below $98,500 after a US airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend heightened geopolitical tensions.

    Risk assets came under pressure as markets responded to the escalation.

    However, the dip below the $100,000 mark proved short-lived. BTC rebounded during early Monday trading, recovering to around $101,841 at the time of writing.

    Bitcoin now trades near the key psychological threshold of $100,000. A decisive close below that level could signal further downside, with the next support near Sunday’s intraday low of $98,200.

    In this volatile environment, institutional adoption remains a bright spot, with more firms looking to expand their exposure to digital assets.

    As institutional participation increases, top-tier cryptocurrencies are becoming less attractive to investors seeking outsized, asymmetric returns.

    This shift is drawing renewed interest toward early-stage tokens such as Bitcoin Pepe, which are capturing risk-on capital.

    With traders pivoting to more speculative corners of the market, assets like Bitcoin Pepe are emerging as key beneficiaries of the current momentum.

    Grant Cardone’s firm buys Bitcoin

    Real estate mogul Grant Cardone has announced Cardone Capital’s first Bitcoin purchase, marking the firm’s entry into a digital asset treasury strategy.

    Cardone Capital has added 1,000 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $101 million at current market prices, to its balance sheet.

    “First ever real estate/Bitcoin company integrated with full BTC strategy,” Cardone said in a post on X, describing the move as a combination of “the two best-in-class assets,” real estate and Bitcoin.

    He also indicated plans to add another 3,000 BTC to the firm’s holdings later this year.

    With this initial purchase, Cardone Capital surpasses mining firms Core Scientific and Cipher Mining in terms of Bitcoin holdings, according to data from BiTBO.

    Founded in 2017, Cardone Capital is a private equity real estate firm that pools investor capital to acquire multifamily residential properties.

    The firm currently manages more than 14,000 units and has an estimated $5.1 billion in assets under management.

    Bitcoin Pepe price outlook

    While Bitcoin grapples with short-term volatility, its growing institutional adoption continues to underpin overall market sentiment.

    At the same time, investors are rotating back into high-beta segments of the crypto market, with meme coins witnessing a renewed wave of inflows.

    Among the most prominent is Bitcoin Pepe, which has set itself apart by blending meme-driven appeal with a Layer 2 infrastructure narrative.

    Unlike conventional meme tokens that rely solely on viral traction, Bitcoin Pepe positions itself as the first meme-centric Layer 2 built on the Bitcoin network, seeking to deliver scalability and speed similar to Solana while anchored to Bitcoin’s base-layer security.

    The project has also secured strategic partnerships with Super Meme, Catamoto, and Plena Finance, aimed at supporting the broader utility and adoption of its ecosystem.

    Bitcoin Pepe’s presale has so far raised over $15.3 million, with its BPEP token priced at $0.0416.

    A price increase is imminent, with the next tier triggered once the presale hits $15.54 million in total funding.

    The token is slated for listing on MEXC and BitMart, with expectations that these will provide improved liquidity and visibility.

    An additional listing announcement is expected to be announced on June 30, further fueling investor interest as the presale nears completion.

    With risk appetite returning and meme coins back in focus, Bitcoin Pepe appears well-positioned to benefit from both speculative momentum and a more structurally grounded product narrative.

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  • Strategy plans to offer five million shares with new preferred stock to purchase additional Bitcoin

    Strategy plans to offer five million shares with new preferred stock to purchase additional Bitcoin

    Coinbase will delist Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) on December 19, 2024

    • The shares will accumulate cumulative dividends at a fixed rate of 10% each year
    • Strategy said that dividend payments will begin paying out on June 30, 2025
    • To date, Strategy holds under 500k Bitcoin, valued at over $40 billion

    Strategy is planning to offer five million shares of the company’s Series A perpetual strife preferred stock, $STRF, as it works on acquiring more Bitcoin.

    In an announcement, Michael Saylor’s Strategy said it intends to use the proceeds for “general corporate purposes,” including the “acquisition of Bitcoin.” However, it noted that this was “subject to market, and other conditions.”

    According to the company, the shares will accumulate cumulative dividends at a fixed rate of 10% per year. Dividends will be paid out beginning on June 30, 2025 “out of funds legally available for their payment,” Strategy said.

    Raising funds for Bitcoin

    The news comes as Strategy announced earlier this month that it’s planning to issue and sell shares of up to $21 billion in its at-the-market (ATM) program.

    Through selling shares of its 8.00% Series A perpetual strike preferred stock, $STRK, Strategy said the additional capital will be used for general corporate operations, including the purchase of more Bitcoin.

    The latest news also follows a recent Bitcoin purchase Strategy made in an announcement yesterday. In a post on X, Saylor said it had acquired 130 Bitcoin for $10.7 million at an average price of $82,981 per Bitcoin.

    To date, Strategy now holds 499,226 Bitcoin, valued at $40.92 billion, according to SaylorTracker.com.

    Peter Schiff, a long-time opponent of Bitcoin, commented on Saylor’s tweet, saying: “Is that all you bought?  Seems like you are running out of fire power.”

    Crypto prices decline

    News of Strategy’s recent Bitcoin purchase and its share offering comes as crypto prices across the market have seen a sharp decline.

    At the time of publishing, Bitcoin is trading around $81,000, a substantial drop from its all-time high of $109,000 reached in January ahead of US President Donald Trump’s inauguration.

    Market conditions and geopolitical issues continue to impact prices despite Trump signing an executive order in March to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.



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  • BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe

    BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe

    BlackRock plans to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Europe
    • BlackRock is planning to launch a Bitcoin ETP in Switzerland.
    • This move follows the success of BlackRock’s US Bitcoin ETF.
    • The Bitcoin ETP could boost crypto adoption with the EU’s MiCA regulations.

    BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, is gearing up to launch a Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe, marking another significant step in the firm’s expansion into the cryptocurrency market. The new ETP product is set to be registered in Switzerland.

    This move follows the resounding success of BlackRock’s $58 billion US Bitcoin ETF. The success of BlackRock’s US Bitcoin ETF, which by early February 2025 had gathered $57.5 billion in net assets, speaks volumes about the investor appetite for such products.

    CEO Larry Fink’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against currency debasement, suggesting a broader acceptance of cryptocurrencies as an alternative store of value.

    This European venture is anticipated to attract both institutional and retail investors looking for exposure to Bitcoin without the complexities of direct cryptocurrency ownership.

    Switzerland is becoming a digital asset innovation in Europe

    The decision to domicile the ETP in Switzerland was strategic, leveraging the country’s reputation as a hub for digital asset innovation, particularly within its “Crypto Valley” in Zug.

    Switzerland’s progressive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies has made it an attractive location for BlackRock to extend its Bitcoin investment offerings beyond North American borders.

    The choice of Switzerland not only aligns with BlackRock’s aim to capitalize on crypto-friendly regulations but also positions the firm to lead in the European market.

    Notably, the plans to launch an ETP in Europe comes at a time when the European Union is navigating its own regulatory path through the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which was established in 2023.

    The MiCA framework aims to ensure consumer protection and market integrity, providing a stable environment for crypto investments.

    Despite the European crypto market capitalizing at $17.3 billion — far less than the US’s $116.4 billion — BlackRock’s move could significantly boost the sector.

    BlackRock’s entry into this market underscores the growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies, a trend that has been further propelled by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s approval of Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024.

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  • El Salvador to change Bitcoin plans to secure $1.3bn IMF loan

    El Salvador to change Bitcoin plans to secure $1.3bn IMF loan

    • El Salvador would also receive $1 billion in lending from the World Bank and $1 billion from the Inter-American Development Bank
    • Under the IMF agreement, El Salvador would change a legal requirement making businesses accept Bitcoin as payment
    • Since 2021, the IMF has been against El Salvador’s Bitcoin Law, asking the government to “narrow its scope”

    El Salvador is reportedly reducing its Bitcoin ambitions as it gets ready to receive a $1.3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The Financial Times reports that the Central American country, which was the first to accept Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, is expected to reach a deal in the next few weeks with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele’s government.

    The deal is also expected to unlock a further $1 billion in lending from the World Bank and $1 billion from the Inter-American Development Bank over the next few years.

    Under the proposed plans, El Salvador would change a legal requirement making businesses accept Bitcoin as payment, making it optional instead. The government would also reduce the budget deficit by 3.5% of GDP over three years through spending cuts and tax rises while boosting reserves from $11 billion to $15 billion.

    IMF against El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption

    Following El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin in 2021, the IMF sent a statement in November 2021 “recommend[ing] narrowing the scope of the Bitcoin law” while “strengthening the regulation and supervision of the new payment system.”

    This was again called for in January 2022 when the IMF advised El Salvador to reconsider its decision on Bitcoin as the country’s legal tender. More recently, the IMF recommended El Salvador limit the public’s exposure to Bitcoin.

    Despite the advisories, El Salvador and its president remain committed to Bitcoin, going on to buy more of the asset during price dips.

    With Bitcoin reaching $100,000 last week for the first time, Bukele posted a tweet on X, showcasing its Bitcoin balance was now worth more than $600 million.



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  • Swan Bitcoin halts IPO plans and shuts down mining operations

    Swan Bitcoin halts IPO plans and shuts down mining operations

    Swan Bitcoin halts IPO plans and shuts down mining operations
    • Swan Bitcoin delays IPO plans due to shutdown of its mining operations.
    • CEO cites reduced revenue from mining as reason for halting IPO efforts.
    • Mining sector faces challenges, with firms like Bitfarms and Northern Data adapting.

    Swan Bitcoin, a financial services firm specializing in Bitcoin investments, has announced a significant strategic shift. Cory Klippsten, the company’s CEO, revealed that Swan Bitcoin will be scrapping its initial public offering (IPO) plans and shutting down its mining operations.

    The announcement, made on July 22 via X (formerly known as Twitter), comes as the company grapples with the financial fallout from recent developments in the cryptocurrency mining sector.

    Halting IPO plans pegged on cessation of Bitcoin mining activities

    According to Klippsten, the cessation of Swan Bitcoin’s mining activities is a pivotal factor behind the decision to delay the IPO indefinitely. He stated, “Without revenue from our mining arm, we expect to halt our plans for a public offering.”

    This move reflects broader challenges within the cryptocurrency mining industry, which has been adversely affected by recent Bitcoin halving events.

    In January 2024, Swan Bitcoin launched its mining venture with ambitious plans to become a publicly traded entity in the U.S. within a year. At that time, the company reported generating $125 million in revenue and had expanded its workforce significantly.

    However, the halving of Bitcoin’s block reward from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC in April has diminished mining earnings for many firms, including Swan Bitcoin.

    The halving event, which occurs approximately every four years, effectively reduces the rewards miners receive for validating transactions on the Bitcoin network. This reduction has led to a decline in profitability for several major mining companies.

    Bitfarms, a Canadian mining firm, is among those affected, facing increased pressure following a hostile takeover bid from Riot Platforms.

    Swan Bitcoin scaling back on spending with staff reductions

    In response to the financial strain, Swan Bitcoin is scaling back its accelerated spending plans and implementing staff reductions.

    Klippsten noted that this shift would impact various functions within the company, indicating a significant restructuring effort.

    Despite these challenges, the broader cryptocurrency mining sector is witnessing varied responses. German mining firm Northern Data has announced plans to pursue an IPO in the US within the first half of 2025, while Genesis Digital Assets is also considering a public offering.

    Swan Bitcoin’s strategic retreat underscores the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market and the challenges companies face in navigating financial pressures and regulatory landscapes.

    As the company recalibrates its business model, the future of its IPO plans remains uncertain.

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  • Coinbase confirms plans of integrating the Lightning Network

    Coinbase confirms plans of integrating the Lightning Network

    coinbase to integrate lightning network
    • Coinbase says it will add support for the Bitcoin Lightning Network.
    • Cathie Wood praises the crypto exchange for the decision.
    • Coinbase shares are down nearly 30% versus their YTD high.

    Coinbase Global Inc has decided to integrate the Lightning Network that aims at making Bitcoin a viable option for faster and cheaper global payments.

    How long will the integration take?

    The crypto exchange had been exploring adding support for the Lightning Network since early August. On Wednesday, Brian Armstrong – its Chief Executive wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

    We’ve made decision to integrate Lightning. Bitcoin is most important asset in crypto and we’re excited to do our part to enable faster/cheaper Bitcoin transactions.

    He did not reveal how long the integration will likely take, though.

    The announcement arrives more than a month after Coinbase reported its financial results for the second quarter that handily topped Street estimates. At writing, shares of the crypto company are down close to 30% versus their year-to-date high.

    Cathie Wood thumbs up Coinbase for the decision

    Note that Coinbase Global is taking after Cash App – the mobile payment service of the California-based Block Inc. Reacting to its announcement today, Cathie Wood of Ark Invest wrote on X:

    Coinbase’s integration with Lightning will give its 100 million users an on-ramp to faster and cheaper bitcoin transactions. Hats off to Coinbase!

    Other notable names who have been vocal in their support for the Lightning Network include Michael Saylor – the Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy Inc.

    The former president of PayPal – David Marcus also reiterated commitment this week to turning Bitcoin into a global payments network (find out more). The price of a BTC is currently about 20% below its year-to-date high.



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  • Tether and City of Lugano launch Plan Business Hub celebrating Plan’s anniversary

    Tether and City of Lugano launch Plan Business Hub celebrating Plan’s anniversary

    • The Plan Initiative was launched on March 03, 2022.
    • The main objective of the Plan was to scale Lugano’s blockchain capabilities.
    • Tether and the City of Lugano have launched the Plan Business Hub to celebrate the first anniversary of the Plan.

    It is now a year since the Plan Initiative was launched in the city of Lugano. So far The Plan has brought crypto to over 150 shops and businesses within the city. As a result, Tether Operations Limited (Tether), the company behind USDT stablecoin, has joined the city to celebrate this achievement.

    When The Plan was launched, the city of Lugano announced that Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), and the city’s own LVGA token would be accepted as payment for taxes, parking tickets, tuition fees, and public services. So far, over 150 businesses and shops including Mcdonald’s have also started accepting USDT, BTC, and LVGA in addition to fiat currency as payment for goods and services.

    To celebrate the culmination of a successful year for The Plan Inititiative, Tether and the City of Lugano on March 3, 2023, announced the launch of the Plan Business Hub.

    The Plan Business Hub

    The Plan Business Hub will help explore the potential adoption of blockchain technology in businesses and the long-term use of cryptocurrencies in the European region.

    The Hub will house more than 300 blockchain experts and enthusiasts and serve as a global point of reference in Lugano. It will also host a recreational space for meetups and workshops fostering education and development. It is designed to attract talent, and encourage networking and knowledge sharing.

    The Mayor of Lugano, Michele Foletti, commenting on the development said:

    “The goal of this collaboration is to make Lugano a center of excellence for blockchain technologies. In the first 12 months we have seen growing interest and Lugano is now definitely on the world map, alongside a handful of other destinations. The strength of Lugano’s Plan ₿ is that it has been able to demonstrate real-world use of blockchain technologies by applying it practically to local communities in Lugano. Businesses of all sizes and scale have begun to leverage blockchain platforms to improve their processes and we are watching before our very eyes as Lugano becomes a model for the global adoption of cryptocurrency.”

    Since The Plan was launched, Lugano has hosted numerous networking, outreach, and educational events that have attracted people from around the world to learn and discuss the opportunities presented by blockchain technology and cryptocurrency adoption. For instance 86 students from 26 countries visited the city over the past year for the first-ever Plan summer school, an intensive 2-week program by Tether taught by world-class experts on the business, regulatory, and technological implications of blockchain and Bitcoin.

    There is a 500-student grant set aside for future Plan summer school program students. Tether and the City of Lugano are also working together to provide additional grants to university students in the coming months.

    For the 2023 calendar, there is the 2023 Plan forum in Lugano that is scheduled to take place between October 20 and October 21. Tether will also continue its Plan summer school program with two sessions for 2023 in the spring and summer.

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  • MicroStrategy BTC paper loss hits $1.3B but no plans to stop trading bitcoin

    MicroStrategy BTC paper loss hits $1.3B but no plans to stop trading bitcoin

    • MicroStrategy registered $34 million in its first-ever bitcoin sale.
    • The company registered a paper loss of over 1 billion in 2022.
    • MicroStrategy made its first bitcoin purchase in August 2020.

    Despite making a paper loss of about $1.3 billion in 2022, MicroStrategy’s chief financial officer, Andrew Kang, said that the company will continue trading bitcoin. During a presentation for the Q4 2022 financial results webnier, Kang said:

    “We may consider pursuing additional transactions that may take advantage of the volatility in Bitcoin prices, or other market dislocations that are consistent with our long-term Bitcoin strategy.”

    The company’s stand on digital currencies comes at a time the crypto market is witnessing considerable recovery from last year’s plunge although it is not clear if digital currencies will ever reclaim their previous highs.

    Microstrategy bitcoin investment

    Microstrategy made its first bitcoin purchase in August 2020 acquiring 21,454 BTC in what it described as a “capital allocation strategy.” The company has been accumulating bitcoins since then and by December 24 2022 it had as much as 132,500 BTC worth $4.027 billion according to Microstrategy bitcoin statistics on the Buy Bitcoin Worldwide website.

    In the presentation on February 2023, Kang confirmed that Microstrategy holds 132,500 bitcoin that are worth about $1.84 billion as of Dec. 31, 2022.

    In the last quarter, MicroStrategy made a loss of $34 million after making its first-ever Bitcoin sale. The company made the decision to sell some of its bitcoins to recoup some tax losses.

    Microstrategy co-founder Michael Saylor said Bitcoin is one of the most important benchmarks that it uses to measure its stock performance against. He said that the company’s stock has risen by 117% since August 2020 compared to the bitcoin price which has risen by 98% in the same period.

    In an interview with a popular news outlet, Saylor said:

    “The only real safe haven for an institutional investor is Bitcoin. Bitcoin is the only universally acknowledged digital commodity, and so if you’re an investor, Bitcoin is your safe haven in this regard.”

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  • Bankrupt BlockFi plans to sell $160M Bitcoin mining hardware loans

    Bankrupt BlockFi plans to sell $160M Bitcoin mining hardware loans

    • BlockFi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2022 citing exposure to the just collapsed FTX.
    • The plan to sell off the loans backed by Bitcoin mining machines is part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
    • Bidders have until before the end of January to submit offers.

    About two months after BlockFi filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the crypto lender now plans to sell off $160 million in loans backed by Bitcoin mining hardware as part of the bankruptcy legal proceedings. In total, the loans are backed by about 68,000 Bitcoin mining machines

    Although BlockFi cited FTX’s exposure as the main reason for its bankruptcy, the crypto lender had announced cutting its workforce by 20% in June 2022 citing the crypto prices meltdown. The layoff announcement came days after reports emerged that the lender was in talks to raise funding at a $5 billion valuation.

    Bidders have until January 24 to send offers

    According to reports from Bloomberg, BlockFi started the process of selling off the Bitcoin mining hardware-backed loans last year. It is believed some of the said loans have already defaulted since then and are candidates for under-collateralization following the drastic decline in the prices of Bitcoin mining hardware.

    In an interview with one popular media outlet, crypto lawyer Harrison Dell who is a director at Australian law firm Cadena Legal said that the loans are not worth their paper value to BlockFi if the Bitcoin mining equipment used as collateral is worth less than the value of the loans.

    According to Harrison Dell, the people bidding for the loans are most likely debt collection businesses saying that selling the debts is all that BlockFi can do at the moment.

    It is believed that BlockFi’s attempt to sell off its loans is likely a part of the lender’s efforts to pay off its creditors who are about 100,000 in total.

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