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Cover image for Jack Mallers Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Jack Mallers Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Bitcoin Magazine Jack Mallers Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker Jack Mallers has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026, returning to the stage where he made Bitcoin history to share his perspective on Bitcoin’s expanding role in payments, capital markets, and global finance. As Co-Founder and CEO of Twenty One Capital (NYSE: XXI) and Founder and CEO of Strike, Mallers now sits at the intersection of two consequential Bitcoin companies operating today, one reshaping how people spend and save Bitcoin, the other redefining what a publicly traded Bitcoin company can be. Twenty One Capital launched on the New York Stock Exchange in December 2025, debuting with a treasury of 43,514 Bitcoin — the third-largest public corporate Bitcoin holding in the world, behind only Strategy and MARA Holdings. The company is majority-owned by Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, and Bitfinex, with significant minority ownership from SoftBank Group, and has committed to operating with public-market transparency, including publishing on-chain proof of holdings for real-time shareholder verification. Speaking on CNBC at launch, Mallers made the mission clear: the company plans to “buy as much Bitcoin as we possibly can” not as a passive treasury vehicle, but as a full Bitcoin-native operating business building capital markets advisory, lending models, and educational media on top of its BTC holdings. Strike, the company Mallers founded in 2020, has become one of the most widely used Bitcoin financial platforms in the world. Built on Bitcoin’s Lightning Network, Strike allows users to make and receive payments, buy and sell bitcoin with no added fees, and convert their paychecks directly into Bitcoin all without requiring prior crypto experience. In March 2026, Strike received both a BitLicense and a money transmitter license from the New York State Department of Financial Services, allowing the company to operate in one of the most tightly regulated digital asset markets in the United States. “Strike is building the leading Bitcoin financial institution,” Mallers said in a statement. “With our BitLicense, we can now bring that mission to New York, the global center of finance.” With Twenty One Capital now live on the NYSE and Strike completing its all-50-states U.S. expansion, Mallers arrives at Bitcoin 2026 carrying more institutional weight than ever, and the same conviction he’s held since day one: that Bitcoin is honest money, and that the infrastructure being built around it will determine what the next chapter of global finance looks like. JACK MALLERS, FOUNDER & CEO OF STRIKE AND TWENTY ONE, TO SPEAK AT BITCOIN 2026 "It's over man, Bitcoin is going to the moon." pic.twitter.com/wHorQFmcYa — The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) March 3, 2026 Bitcoin 2026 Returns to Las Vegas Bigger Than Ever Bitcoin 2026 will take place April 27–29 at The Venetian, Las Vegas, and is expected to be the biggest Bitcoin event of the year. Focused on the future of money, Bitcoin 2026 will bring together Bitcoin builders, investors, miners, policymakers, technologists, and newcomers from around the world. The event will feature a wide range of pass types, including general admission passes designed specifically for those new to Bitcoin, alongside premium passes for professionals, enterprises, and institutions. With multiple stages, immersive experiences, technical workshops, and headline keynotes, Bitcoin 2026 is designed to serve both first-time attendees and long-time Bitcoiners shaping the next era of global adoption. Past Bitcoin Conferences in the U.S. Bitcoin’s flagship conference has scaled dramatically over the past five years: 2021 – Miami: 11,000 attendees 2022 – Miami: 26,000 attendees 2023 – Miami: 15,000 attendees 2024 – Nashville: 22,000 attendees 2025 – Las Vegas: 35,000 attendees Get Your Bitcoin 2026 Pass Bitcoin Magazine readers can save 10% on Bitcoin 2026 tickets using code ‘ARTICLE10‘ at checkout. Stay at The official hotel of Bitcoin 2026, The Venetian, and get a guaranteed low rate plus 15% off your pass. Hotel Prices increase soon, be in the middle of where the fun is all happening, and where the networking never ends. And don’t forget: Volunteer at Bitcoin 2026 and get Pro Pass access plus exclusive perks. All students ages 13+ can apply for a Student Pass and get free general admission access to Bitcoin 2026. Location: The Venetian, Las Vegas Dates: April 27–29, 2026 With tens of thousands of attendees expected and hundreds of major speakers like Jack Mallers already confirmed, now is the time to lock in your ticket. Buy Bitcoin 2026 Tickets — Save 10% Why Attend Bitcoin 2026? Bitcoin 2026 is the definitive gathering for anyone serious about the future of money. With 500+ speakers, multiple world-class stages, and programming spanning Bitcoin fundamentals, open-source development, enterprise adoption, mining, energy, AI, policy, and culture, the conference brings every corner of the Bitcoin ecosystem together under one roof. From headline keynotes on the Nakamoto Stage to deep technical sessions for builders, institutional strategy discussions for enterprises, and beginner-friendly Bitcoin 101 education, Bitcoin 2026 is designed for everyone—from first-time attendees to the leaders shaping Bitcoin’s global adoption. Whether you’re looking to learn, build, invest, network, or influence, Bitcoin 2026 is where Bitcoin’s next chapter is written. Bitcoin 2026 Pass Types: Something for Everyone Bitcoin 2026 offers a range of pass options designed to meet the needs of newcomers, professionals, enterprises, and high-net-worth Bitcoiners alike. Bitcoin 2026 General Admission Pass Ideal for newcomers and those looking to experience the heart of the conference. Limited access on Days 2 & 3 Entry to Main Stage Access to Genesis Stage Full access to the Expo Hall Bitcoin 2026 Pro Pass Designed for professionals, operators, and serious Bitcoin participants. Includes all General Admission features, plus: Full 3-day access, including Pro Day Entry to the Pro Pass Reception Access to Enterprise Hall, Enterprise Stage, and Networking Lounge Conference App networking features Access to the Bitcoin For Corporations Symposium Entry to Compute Village and Energy Stage Complimentary lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks Dedicated registration and check-in Reserved seating at Main Stage Huge savings when you bundle your hotel and Pro Pass Bitcoin 2026 Whale Pass The all-inclusive, premium Bitcoin 2026 experience. Includes all Pro Pass features, plus: Reserved seating at Main Stage All-inclusive gourmet food and beverages Entry to Whale Night and Whale Reception Access to all official after-parties Networking app access to connect with other Whales Premium access to The Deep — an exclusive networking lounge with intimate speaker sessions Complimentary stay at The Venetian when you bundle your whale pass and hotel (use promo code ‘WHALEHOTEL’ here) This is the most immersive way to experience Bitcoin 2026. Bitcoin 2026 After Hours Pass Your ticket to the night. Most deals are done with a drink in your hand. Get exclusive access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties across Las Vegas — each with a 2-hour open bar — where the real conversations happen and the best connections are made. Access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties 2-hour open bar at each event Evening events across Las Vegas, April 27–29 Network with Bitcoiners, builders, and industry leaders after hours More headline speaker announcements are coming soon. Don’t miss Bitcoin 2026. This post Jack Mallers Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

Cover image for From $5 to $75,000: Bitcoin’s Saint Patrick’s Day Prices Shows You the Wild Ride of Bitcoin

From $5 to $75,000: Bitcoin’s Saint Patrick’s Day Prices Shows You the Wild Ride of Bitcoin

Bitcoin Magazine From $5 to $75,000: Bitcoin’s Saint Patrick’s Day Prices Shows You the Wild Ride of Bitcoin Bitcoin’s rise from an obscure digital asset to a global financial instrument is again in focus this St. Patrick’s Day. On March 17, 2012, Bitcoin traded near $5. Thirteen years later, it has reached roughly $75,000. This is a massive expansion driven by increasing demand and a fixed supply model. Bitcoin’s early years were defined by sharp price swings and thin liquidity. In 2013, the asset surged from under $50 to more than $600 before retracing below $300 by 2015. These cycles repeated over time, with each rally followed by a correction. In 2017, Bitcoin crossed $1,000 and later accelerated higher before entering another downturn. By 2021, it had climbed past $50,000 as institutional participation began to take shape. Pullbacks in 2022 and 2023 tested conviction, but the broader trend remained intact. In late 2025, BTC surged above $125,000 before pulling back to $60,000 earlier this year. Each cycle introduced new participants and strengthened market infrastructure, contributing to a more resilient asset over time. Historical Bitcoin prices on Saint Patrick's Day 2012 $5.34 2013: $47 2014: $630 2015: $290 2016: $417 2017: $1,180 2018: $8,321 2019: $4,047 2020: $5,002 2021: $56,825 2022: $41,140 2023: $26,876 2024: $68,845 2025: $83,223 2026: $74,590 HODL pic.twitter.com/8LMFUGZkpX — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 17, 2026 Institutional access is growing despite Bitcoin’s fixed supply One of the most significant developments in the current cycle is the expansion of institutional access. Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States have created a direct pathway for large pools of capital to enter the market. These products have recorded sustained inflows, including single-day totals exceeding $500 million, reflecting strong demand from asset managers, pension funds and retail brokerage accounts. The result is a steady accumulation of BTC within regulated investment vehicles. As more capital flows through these channels, available supply on exchanges has tightened, reinforcing upward pressure on price. Bitcoin’s monetary policy continues to differentiate it from traditional assets. The protocol enforces a hard cap of 21 million coins, limiting total supply regardless of demand conditions. This scarcity is reinforced through halving events, which reduce the rate of new issuance. The most recent halving in April 2024 cut block rewards from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC, lowering the number of new coins entering circulation each day. Historically, these supply shocks have preceded major upward moves, as reduced issuance meets sustained or increasing demand. Corporate and traditional finance interest Beyond financial markets, Bitcoin has gained traction among corporations and policymakers. Public companies have continued adding Bitcoin to their balance sheets, treating it as a reserve asset rather than a speculative position. Most popular of all these is Strategy, the bitcoin treasury company led by executive chairman Michael Saylor. The company purchased another 22,337 bitcoin for about $1.57 billion last week, continuing one of the largest corporate accumulation strategies in the crypto market. The acquisition brings the firm’s total holdings to 761,068 bitcoin. Strategy said its cumulative BTC holdings were acquired for roughly $57.61 billion at an average price of about $75,696 per coin. The stash represents more than 3.4% of the fixed 21 million supply of BTC, reinforcing MSTR’s status as the largest corporate holder of the asset. Bitcoin’s changing market structure Bitcoin’s market structure is shifting as ownership consolidates among long-term holders, institutions and corporate buyers. This has reduced the influence of short-term speculation and improved overall stability, even as volatility persists. Bitcoin has remained resilient through recent turbulence, supported by steady institutional demand and continued accumulation. Analysts point to a clear return of large buyers, with ETF inflows and spot demand helping push prices back above $70,000 after weeks of range-bound trading. Data shows institutional conviction holding firm. Despite a sharp drawdown since late 2025, ETF outflows have remained limited compared to earlier inflows, signaling that investors are maintaining positions rather than exiting. This growing base of committed capital reflects a broader shift. Institutional investors entering the market today tend to have high conviction, often allocating with a long-term view rather than reacting to short-term price moves. Research also highlights the expanding role of ETFs and corporate treasury strategies in reshaping BTC ownership. Institutional vehicles now account for a meaningful share of supply, while a large portion of coins remains inactive, reinforcing the dominance of long-term holders. At the same time, on-chain data suggests the market may be in a late-stage bear phase, historically tied to accumulation. Analysts say current conditions point to continued consolidation, with long-term investors positioning for the next cycle. This post From $5 to $75,000: Bitcoin’s Saint Patrick’s Day Prices Shows You the Wild Ride of Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Bitcoin Price Surges Above $75,000 as Bullish Momentum Builds

Bitcoin Price Surges Above $75,000 as Bullish Momentum Builds

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin Price Surges Above $75,000 as Bullish Momentum Builds The bitcoin price climbed above $75,000 on Monday evening extending a sharp rebound that has lifted the asset nearly 25% from its February lows and reignited bullish sentiment across the crypto market. The world’s largest cryptocurrency broke through the psychological $75,000 level during U.S. trading hours after spending several weeks consolidating in a tight range. The move marks Bitcoin’s strongest price since early February and reflects improving risk appetite across global markets. Bitcoin price’s latest surge comes after the asset bottomed near $63,000 in February during heightened geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran–Israel War. Since then, prices have staged a steady recovery as macroeconomic conditions stabilized and investor confidence returned. Bitcoin’s price has outperformed other assets like gold and the S&P 500. Markets received a boost over the weekend after signs of easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Two commercial tankers reportedly transited the waterway on Sunday for the first time since the conflict began, after Iran indicated its shipping restrictions would apply only to vessels linked to its adversaries. JUST IN: Bitcoin pumps back to $75,000! pic.twitter.com/Tqz6rwTTGg — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 17, 2026 Strategy buys into the bitcoin price game At the same time, corporate demand for bitcoin continues to expand. Earlier Monday, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, disclosed the purchase of 22,337 additional bitcoin for approximately $1.57 billion. The acquisition increased the company’s total holdings to 761,068 BTC, with a combined market value of roughly $50 billion. Institutional interest is also building internationally. Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet recently secured about $255 million from global investors to accelerate its bitcoin treasury strategy, with additional warrants that could raise total funding to more than $530 million for future purchases. Despite the rally, market participants remain cautious about declaring a full breakout. Bitcoin price experienced several rebounds of similar magnitude during the 2022 crypto downturn before eventually falling to cycle lows below $16,000 following the collapse of FTX. For now, traders are watching whether bitcoin price can maintain support above the $75,000 region. A sustained hold above that level could open the door to a push toward $80,000, which previously acted as a key support zone before the early-2026 correction. Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, has recently argued that the current market structure favors long-term accumulation, urging investors to “turn on your DCA,” referring to the dollar-cost averaging strategy of buying Bitcoin prices at regular intervals regardless of price. According to Mallers, bitcoin price is trading near historically important support zones and prolonged consolidation periods often provide some of the best opportunities to steadily accumulate the asset ahead of major market moves. This post Bitcoin Price Surges Above $75,000 as Bullish Momentum Builds first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Bitcoin at Key Support Levels — Why Jack Mallers Says Turn On DCA Now

Bitcoin at Key Support Levels — Why Jack Mallers Says Turn On DCA Now

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin at Key Support Levels — Why Jack Mallers Says Turn On DCA Now Few people are as close to the center of the Bitcoin industry as Jack Maller. A young, tech-savvy CEO of a major Bitcoin exchange in the United States, partnered with Tether, the most profitable company in recent history, the son of Chicago traders, Jack, is plugged in. In his podcast, BLABLA, he has been ringing the bell over the past few weeks, “It’s time to turn on your DCA”. Nobody knows where price is going to go, but according to historical data, now is a good time to turn on your DCAs if you believe bitcoin is not going to zero. We have no-fee and no-spread for both DCAs and paycheck conversions at @Strike. Free withdrawals to cold storage too.… pic.twitter.com/AL89nSYR6o — Jack Mallers (@jackmallers) February 10, 2026 But what does DCA even mean? An acronym for “dollar cost average,” it is an investment strategy ported into Bitcoin that has become the gold standard recommendation to Bitcoin fans across the industry. Turning on your DCA means buying bitcoin on a regular basis, regardless of the price. Why does this work? Well its quite simple actually. If you buy regardless of the price on a weekly basis for example, you will buy as much of the lower prices as you will the higher ones. In fact, bitcoin tends to spend significant portions of time in ‘consolidation’, which is another word for neither going up nor down, but rather going sideways. This is a great opportunity to accumulate sats. Every time you buy bitcoin at a price lower than you bought before, you are lowering your ‘dollar cost average’ or rather, the average cost of your total bitcoin in dollar terms. Eventually, because of Bitcoin’s unmatched and inelastic scarcity, combined with its network-like growth, the price tends to go up, and when it goes up, it does so quickly. Most people miss the opportunity to buy at the perfect time, right before a major move up. But Bitcoiners doing DCA will already have an optimal average price, perfectly set up to profit from a large move up. As a result, you can end up with an average purchase price curve that looks something like this, right before a major bull run. There are other profound benefits to the Bitcoin DCA strategy. Because it involves small, manageable investments over a long period of time, the amount risked at any single point in the investment journey is relatively small. Investing, for example, 10% of your disposable income a month in Bitcoin would not be a heavy burden, making bear markets not just tolerable but actually turning them into incredible investment opportunities. Multiple exchanges have also implemented automated Bitcoin DCA features, such as Kraken, Strike, Swan, and Bull Bitcoin, which cover many countries throughout the world. The automated aspect of this strategy can not be overstated. Compared to the high stress, intense cognitive load of a professional trader, automated Bitcoin DCA is a walk in the park, and it yields comparable results! Books like The Art of Execution cover long-term studies done on professional traders on Wall Street, demonstrating that most lose money, and of those that do earn money, lose for 10 years straight before becoming good enough to make it. The human capital required to become a good trader is not cheap, but Bitcoin DCA is set it and forget it; you can go do something else with your life while your Bitcoin stack grows. You can calculate the long-term value of the Bitcoin DCA strategy with a variety of tools online, such as this BM Pro calculator which lets you see what would have happened if you had started buying say $100 of Bitcoin every two weeks, back in 2017. Needless to say, the results are incredible. In recent years, Gold has started performing very well with DCA as well, but those calculations are mostly dwarfed by its meteoric rise in 2025. Historically, Gold has much longer cycles than Bitcoin, and can easily stay still for many years after a big move, being the giant that it is. Whereas Bitcoin has a lot more upside overall and its cycles are much shorter, arguably leading to better returns if played right. Now Is The Time To Start Your DCA Why now, you might ask? Isn’t it always good to have your Bitcoin DCA on? Well, there’s a great question, and implicit in Jack Maller’s quote, the answer is no. Technically, you can start your DCA at the top of a bull market and end up with a great average down purchase price by the time the next bull market takes off. But you certainly would be better off not buying the top. The following is not investment advice and does not represent the opinion of Bitcoin Magazine or BTC Inc. They are the opinions of the author alone. The problem, of course, is that no one knows where the top of the market is; if they did, they’d be rich! Their strategy would get discovered, replicated by others, removing its competitive advantage over time. That’s the nature of markets; secret knowledge only works while it is secret. When it becomes public, the rest of the market adapts. Since Bitcoin DCA does not attempt to price the top, it avoids the issue entirely. But many people turn off DCA when they feel the market is nearing a top, and tops historically only happen after crossing the previous all-time high price from a previous cycle. So, despite the math, some do turn off their DCA, only to turn it back on when a clear bear market has begun. So is Bitcoin in a bear market? Sort of. The price is down 50%From the top, but it also dropped very quickly, suggesting a reaction to larger macro events, which in turn means that most of the pain is likely behind us. There’s also a variety of technical price indicators that are flashing green, suggesting we are far closer to the bottom than we are to the top. In other words, it is time to get in. Weekly RSI, a momentum indicator, is in oversold territory historically for Bitcoin. You can go back a decade in Bitcoin, and every time the weekly RSI reaches levels this low, it signals a bottom. The Mayer multiple, which compares Bitcoin to the 200-day moving average, is also in the buy zone territory. The fear and greed index for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market has been at extreme fear for a while now, and you know what they say. If there’s blood on the streets, it’s time to buy. There’s also a historical analysis that looks at percentage-based corrections in Bitcoin from the top of the market to the bottom. These corrections tend to be smaller over time, with the last bear market drawdown going as far down as 77%. We are currently at about 51% correction, if we were to go down 70%, it would mean we are already more than half way down. So closer to the bottom than we are to the top. Notice we are already halfway through the Bitcoin halving cycle as well, with the next halving expected in early 2028. The last halving was anticipated with bitcoin making all-time highs near the halving, as the metric has become widely known, for the same reasons, we might see an anticipation of the halving again this cycle. Historically speaking, we are not likely to see a correction deeper than 70% from the top, an extreme scenario that would push Bitcoin to $40,000 temporarily. Dips of the sort are also less likely given the institutional adoption of Bitcoin, which has massively expanded the liquidity of this market. If we did go that far down, those prepared to buy would find an incredible opportunity, but it would be speculation and a trading mindset to try to catch the absolute bottom, hence why low-risk, consistent DCA is so great. Finally, we have the death cross and colden cross combo. Pitting off the 50-day moving average versus the 200-day moving average leads to a fairly predictable dynamic. Markets sell before the 50-day crosses below the 200-day. And they pump before the 50-day crosses above the 200-day. Bitcoin has now crossed above the 50 day moving average, if it can stay there or continue to consolidate around the $70,000 mark, it will be very well positioned for a run up deeper into 2026 as the golden cross occurs, probably signaling the beginning of a new bull market. Macro Economic Trends AI stonks have been soaking up a lot of liquidity and investment this cycle, with roughly a trillion dollars invested in AI infrastructure in the past handful of years. The market is broadly bullish on AI continuing its disruption path. I don’t think it takes a genius to say that an “AI fear and greed index” would be way over on the greed side right now. It may be that AI has brought us to a new paradigm of only up for AI stocks and tech, but that kind of thinking is usually a sell sign. If there is some sort of event in the next year or two akin to the dot-com crash that leads to a serious AI correction, we may see speculative and investment capital look for other options beyond AI, bringing liquidity back to Bitcoin. Though it is arguably still early to call this. Meanwhile, U.S. debt yield, or the interest on the debt of the U.S. Government, has stalled out with signs from the FED that lower rates are coming. Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Chair of the Federal Reserve back in January, and his confirmation — while stuck in the Senate — is likely to go through soon, signaling a looser monetary policy, aligned with Trump’s broader economic strategy, which favours lower interest rates and more money printing, coupled with aggressive growth and deregulation. The Fed funds’ effective fund rate is also trending down, signaling cheaper money coming into the market, likely in part due to more money printing by the Fed, since U.S. bonds are not particularly attractive to foreign investors during this time of geopolitical tension. Fundamental Analysis As far as fundamental trends or changes to Bitcoin, the only question that has emerged is in relation to quantum computing and whether it can break Bitcoin’s cryptography. This fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD), while new to many investors, is not new to Bitcoin technologists. Broad consensus within the Bitcoin industry remains that quantum computing advancements remain mostly hype and have a long way to go before they become a threat to Bitcoin. Meanwhile, Bitcoin core developers have been actively discussing long-term solutions to quantum for at least a couple of years now, though as far back as the Satoshi era. Formal improvement proposals have already been drafted, and software is well on its way to reach maturity, should it be needed to deal with a quantum threat. So overall, investors who sold due to quantum FUD might find themselves on the wrong side of the trade. The Barrier To Entry Into Bitcoin So yes, most signs suggest that it is time to turn on your Bitcoin DCA. And the good news is, there are only a couple of things people need to really understand about Bitcoin to benefit from it. Why is its supply limited, and how does it remain limited? And how to protect it long term via good self-custody. These essential skills in Bitcoin are not trivial to acquire; they do demand some study and interest from investors, but they are simple hobbies compared to the knowledge requirements of becoming a professional trader or investor who can survive the volatility and unpredictability of the market. In terms of understanding Bitcoin’s economics, Bitcoin Magazine has a premium selection of books on the topic, any of which is likely to give you the fundamentals and much more in an eloquent and enjoyable way. And when it comes to self-custody, Bitcoin Magazine also has a fresh review of excellent tools, written by yours truly, for the year 2026. This post Bitcoin at Key Support Levels — Why Jack Mallers Says Turn On DCA Now first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Juan Galt.

Cover image for Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts

Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts Bitcoin investors have shown surprising resilience despite recent market turbulence, fueled by institutional investors and aggressive corporate treasury buyers. Analysts say this trend highlights a structural shift in ownership that could support long-term growth. Institutional demand is clearly back, with “four consecutive sessions of ETF inflows and aggressive spot demand…suggesting one thing: institutional buyers have returned and they’re ready to increase their holdings around current prices, which recovered to above $70k as a result,” Bitfinex said in a note to Bitcoin Magazine. Bitfinex wrote that “a sustained break above resistance could trigger momentum expansion, as positioning and the balance of flows suggest that the market is preparing for its next directional move after weeks of range trading.” Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan also noted Bitcoin ETFs have held up despite a roughly 50% price drop since October 2025, underlining institutional commitment. “The best evidence we have is in the ETF market,” Hougan said, according to Coindesk reporting. “Bitcoin ETFs accumulated roughly $60 billion in net flows from their launch in January 2024 through October 2025. Since October 2025, prices are down 50%, but we’ve seen less than $10 billion in outflows from ETFs,” he said. Hougan described institutional investors as exhibiting “diamond hands,” maintaining positions despite severe market drawdowns. He attributes this persistence to the non-consensus status of BTC. Hougan said that institutional investors who buy into BTC today are still sticking their neck out and standing out from their peers. That career risk, he explained, fosters unusually high conviction, meaning investors allocating capital to bitcoin today tend to be 80–90% convinced of its long-term value rather than mildly optimistic. This conviction underpins Hougan’s reaffirmed long-term bitcoin forecast of $1 million per coin. “The wildest thing about my $1 million prediction is that it’s not wild at all,” he said. “All you need for bitcoin to get to $1 million is for the global store of value market to continue to grow as it has for the past 20 years and for bitcoin to become a minor but material part of that market.” Last week, Hougan argued that skepticism over Bitcoin reaching $1 million stems from a misunderstanding of its valuation, as many analysts use “static math” that ignores the rapidly growing global store-of-value market. Framing BTC as an emerging competitor to gold, he estimates that with a $38 trillion market and BTC’s fixed supply of 21 million coins, the $1 million price target is plausible. Bitcoin isn’t very speculative anymore Supporting this thesis, Bernstein analysts also noted that bitcoin’s ownership base has matured, reducing reliance on retail speculation. In a March 16 research note seen by Bitcoin Magazine, they highlighted the growing influence of spot BTC ETFs and corporate treasury buyers such as Strategy. The firm described Strategy as a “bitcoin central bank of last resort,” citing its aggressive accumulation model, which has added more than 66,000 BTC so far in 2026 at an average cost near $85,000. Strategy’s total holdings now exceed 761,000 BTC, valued around $56 billion. Bernstein emphasized that institutional inflows are reshaping BTC’s ownership structure. Spot ETFs absorbed about $2.1 billion in inflows over three weeks, nearly offsetting year-to-date outflows of $460 million. Institutional vehicles now control roughly 6.1% of BTC’s total supply, while coins inactive for over a year represent approximately 60% of circulating supply, signaling a growing base of long-term holders. On top of this, on-chain indicators point to a late-stage bear cycle, as Lacie Zhang of Bitget Wallet explained to Bitcoin Magazine: “The convergence of on-chain indicators such as realized price and MVRV suggests Bitcoin may be entering the late stage of a typical bear cycle, a phase historically associated with long-term accumulation rather than continued capitulation.” Despite short-term macro headwinds, the current conditions signal a strategic accumulation phase, with BTC likely fluctuating between $68,000 and $84,000 as longer-term investors position for the next cycle. This post Bitcoin’s Ownership Base is Maturing, Reducing Reliance on Retail: Analysts first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves

Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves The price of Bitcoin pushed above $74,000 early Monday, as easing geopolitical tensions and improving risk sentiment helped lift the broader crypto market. The move capped one of bitcoin’s strongest weekly performances since the outbreak of the Iran–Israel War in late February. The rally coincided with signs of de-escalation in the Middle East. Two commercial tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday for the first time since the conflict began, after Iran indicated its shipping restrictions would apply only to vessels linked to its adversaries. At the same time, Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with Tehran, helping calm energy markets. Oil prices retreated from recent highs, the U.S. dollar weakened and equity futures turned positive, signaling a broader shift toward risk assets. The move higher also triggered a wave of short liquidations in crypto derivatives markets. Roughly $344 million in positions were wiped out over the past 24 hours, with bearish traders accounting for more than 80% of the total, according to Bitcoin Magazine Pro data. Market participants are now watching whether the bitcoin price can hold momentum above the $74,000 region. A sustained break could open the door to a move toward $80,000, a level that previously served as support late last year before prices slid during the early-2026 correction. JUST IN: Bitcoin rises back over $74,000! pic.twitter.com/ul7WVyEWNG — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 16, 2026 What’s coming next for the bitcoin price? For now, traders are also bracing for macro signals from the upcoming policy meeting at the Federal Reserve, which begins Tuesday and could influence risk appetite across global markets. Later on Wednesday, the market will hear the Fed’s interest-rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference, with rates expected to remain steady. Despite being down from its October peak, Bitcoin price has outperformed some traditional assets during the conflict, though volatility could increase depending on short-term selling and Fed signals. Earlier today, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, bought 22,337 more bitcoin for $1.57 billion, raising its total holdings to 761,068 BTC. The average acquisition bitcoin price cost is $75,696 per coin, giving the holdings a current market value of about $50 billion. Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet said they also secured approximately $255 million from global institutional investors as it accelerates a corporate strategy centered on accumulating Bitcoin. The company has additional warrants that could lift total funding to roughly $531 million for bitcoin purchases. At the time of writing, the bitcoin price is near $73,800. This post Bitcoin Price Roars Above $74,000 as Market Sentiment Improves first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations

South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations

Bitcoin Magazine South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations South Korea’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has fined cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb 36.8 billion won ($24.6 million) and ordered a six-month partial suspension of new-user services after uncovering millions of anti-money laundering (AML) violations, according to local reporting. The FIU’s investigation found roughly 6.65 million breaches of the country’s AML and customer verification rules. About 3.55 million involved failures to verify customer identities, while 3.04 million cases concerned transactions that should have been blocked but were allowed. Authorities also identified 45,772 transactions with 18 unregistered overseas exchanges. The sanctions, part of ongoing regulatory oversight of South Korea’s top crypto platforms, include a reprimand for Bithumb’s CEO and a six-month suspension for the exchange’s reporting officer. Existing customers can continue trading, while the restrictions primarily affect new user account activity, including deposits and withdrawals. Bithumb, founded in 2014, is one of South Korea’s largest exchanges by trading volume. The fine is the country’s largest imposed on a virtual asset exchange, slightly surpassing a 35.2 billion won penalty handed to Upbit in 2025. The violations were uncovered during on-site inspections of South Korea’s five largest crypto exchanges between 2024 and 2025. Regulators have emphasized that strict compliance with customer verification and AML obligations is critical to maintaining market trust. Bithumb’s bitcoin blunder The announcement comes just weeks after Bithumb accidentally sent billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin to users during a promotional event. The exchange had planned to distribute small cash rewards through a “Random Box” event at around 6 p.m. local time. Winners were supposed to receive between 20,000 and 50,000 Korean won. Instead, staff reportedly entered the payment unit as Bitcoin rather than won. As a result, some users received at least 2,000 BTC each, worth roughly 196 billion won per person based on prices near 98 million won per Bitcoin at the time, according to social media screenshots and accounts. The operational error briefly caused Bitcoin prices on the platform to drop over 10% below broader market levels. Bithumb stated the incident did not result in any customer losses. The FIU will finalize the fine after giving Bithumb at least 10 days to submit its opinion. Authorities said the enforcement action signals continued tightening of crypto market oversight in South Korea. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $74,000. This post South Korea Fines Bithumb $24M, Imposes 6-Month Partial Suspension Over AML Violations first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Strategy (MSTR) Spends $1.57 Billion to Buy 22,337 More Bitcoin, Holdings Reach 738,731 BTC

Strategy (MSTR) Spends $1.57 Billion to Buy 22,337 More Bitcoin, Holdings Reach 738,731 BTC

Bitcoin Magazine Strategy (MSTR) Spends $1.57 Billion to Buy 22,337 More Bitcoin, Holdings Reach 738,731 BTC Strategy, the bitcoin treasury company led by executive chairman Michael Saylor, purchased another 22,337 bitcoin for about $1.57 billion last week, continuing one of the largest corporate accumulation strategies in the crypto market. The company disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the purchases took place between March 9 and March 13 at an average price of $70,194 per coin. The acquisition brings the firm’s total holdings to 761,068 bitcoin. Strategy said its cumulative bitcoin holdings were acquired for roughly $57.61 billion at an average price of about $75,696 per coin. At the current price near $74,000, the company’s holdings carry a market value close to $50 billion. The stash represents more than 3.4% of the fixed 21 million supply of Bitcoin, reinforcing MSTR’s status as the largest corporate holder of the asset. Last week, Strategy purchased 17,994 bitcoin for about $1.28 billion at an average price of $70,946 per coin, bringing the company’s total holdings to 738,731 bitcoin. At the time of writing, Strategy’s stock (MSTR) is trading up 4.40% in pre-market. Bitcoin is trading slightly shy of $74,000. BREAKING: Michael Saylor's Strategy purchased 22,337 Bitcoin for $1.57 BILLION pic.twitter.com/fL78CUX3GJ — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 16, 2026 Strategy’s stock sales and stock issuance The latest purchases were financed through a mix of equity sales and preferred stock issuance. The purchases were funded through at-the-market sales of Strategy’s Class A common stock, MSTR, along with issuances of its perpetual Stretch preferred shares, STRC. The firm also operates several preferred-equity issuance programs tied to its capital-raising strategy. These include at-the-market programs for STRK, STRC, STRF, and STRD totaling $21 billion, $4.2 billion, $2.1 billion, and $4.2 billion respectively. Those offerings sit alongside the company’s broader “42/42” initiative, a plan to raise $84 billion through a combination of equity sales and convertible notes to fund additional bitcoin purchases through 2027. Each preferred share class targets a different investor profile. STRD carries a 10% non-cumulative dividend and is non-convertible, positioning it as the highest-risk, highest-return option. STRK pays an 8% non-cumulative dividend and includes a conversion feature that offers potential equity upside. STRF, also non-convertible, provides a 10% cumulative dividend and is structured as the most conservative of the offerings. STRC features a cumulative dividend with a variable rate paid monthly, designed to adjust over time and keep the shares trading close to their $100 par value. Saylor hinted at the acquisition before the official disclosure in a post on social media that referenced Strategy’s bitcoin tracker. The message stated that “Stretch the Orange Dots.,” a reference to the firm continuing to buy throughout the price changes. This post Strategy (MSTR) Spends $1.57 Billion to Buy 22,337 More Bitcoin, Holdings Reach 738,731 BTC first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree

Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree

Bitcoin Magazine Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree Tokyo-listed investment firm Metaplanet has secured approximately $255 million from global institutional investors as it accelerates a corporate strategy centered on accumulating Bitcoin, with additional warrants that could lift total funding to roughly $531 million. The capital was raised through a placement of new shares priced at 380 yen ($2.39) each, representing a small premium to the market price. The financing package also includes fixed-strike warrants exercisable at 410 yen ($2.57) per share, which carry a 10% premium to the placement price and could generate an additional $276 million if fully exercised before their March 2028 expiration, according to CEO Simon Gerovich. The fundraising effort forms part of the company’s broader push to expand its bitcoin treasury. Metaplanet said it intends to allocate up to 56.9 billion yen, or about $357 million, toward purchasing additional bitcoin between April 2026 and March 2028. The firm currently holds 35,102 BTC, valued at roughly $2.6 billion at recent market prices. The holdings place Metaplanet among the largest corporate bitcoin treasuries globally, though still well behind industry leaders such as Strategy and MARA Holdings. Metaplanet’s aggressive bitcoin plans Metaplanet’s management has outlined aggressive accumulation targets. The company aims to increase its holdings to 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026 and 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027, part of a strategy to position bitcoin as the centerpiece of its balance sheet and long-term capital structure. Beyond the share placement and fixed-price warrants, the company’s board also authorized the issuance of 100 million new “MS Warrants.” These instruments are tied to the company’s modified net asset value, or mNAV, a metric comparing the firm’s market capitalization with the value of its bitcoin holdings. The mechanism allows warrants to be exercised only when Metaplanet’s shares trade above a specified multiple of that metric, a structure designed to ensure any new equity issuance increases bitcoin holdings on a per-share basis. The company also suspended the exercise of older warrants representing up to 210 million shares, a move intended to limit dilution and prioritize the new financing structure tied more directly to its bitcoin treasury strategy. Not all of the newly raised capital will go toward bitcoin purchases. According to company disclosures, about 21.1 billion yen ($132 million) will be used to repay borrowings under Metaplanet’s credit facility, while roughly 6.3 billion yen ($39.5 million) will be allocated to support its bitcoin income generation business, including margin collateral for options underwriting. Metaplanet currently maintains a $500 million credit facility backed by bitcoin collateral, with approximately $280 million drawn as of March 11. The company has said it aims to keep borrowings below 10% of the net asset value of its bitcoin holdings to maintain financial flexibility. Shares of Metaplanet rose nearly 5% Monday as bitcoin climbed above $73,000, reflecting investor interest in companies adopting treasury strategies tied directly to the digital asset. The firm has rapidly expanded its holdings over the past year, increasing from fewer than 2,000 BTC at the start of 2025 to more than 35,000 BTC today. Last week, the company announced plans to expand beyond holding bitcoin by launching two subsidiaries—Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management—and disclosed a planned investment in Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc. The company said Metaplanet Ventures would deploy about ¥4 billion ($25 million) over the coming years to back startups building bitcoin financial infrastructure in Japan, including lending, payments, custody, derivatives and compliance tools. At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading near $74,000. Earlier today, Strategy, led by Michael Saylor, bought 22,337 more bitcoin for $1.57 billion, raising its total holdings to 761,068 BTC. The average acquisition cost is $75,696 per coin, giving the holdings a current market value of about $50 billion. This post Metaplanet Raises $255 Million, Eyes $531 Million Bitcoin Buying Spree first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for AI Pivot Won’t Save Everyone, Wintermute Tells Bitcoin Miners

AI Pivot Won’t Save Everyone, Wintermute Tells Bitcoin Miners

Bitcoin Magazine AI Pivot Won’t Save Everyone, Wintermute Tells Bitcoin Miners Bitcoin miners are caught in the tightest squeeze of the network’s history, and a new Wintermute report argues that simply waiting for the next bull run is no longer a strategy. Instead, the firm says miners will have to reinvent themselves as infrastructure and treasury managers if they want to make it to the next halving. Wintermute analyst Jasper De Maere says the current mining cycle is structurally different from prior ones in 2018 and 2022. Bitcoin’s design cuts block rewards in half every four years, but this time the price has not doubled over the same window, which means miner revenue is shrinking in real terms. On a rolling four‑year basis, Bitcoin has only returned about 1.15x in this epoch, far below the 10x–20x multiples seen in earlier cycles. In past cycles, huge price gains covered up a lot of problems. Miners could count on bull markets to bail out weak margins after each halving. Today, with institutions, ETFs, and corporate treasuries in the mix, Bitcoin trades more like a mainstream macro asset, and those explosive 20x runs are less likely. For miners that built their business on the assumption of permanent hypergrowth, Wintermute frames this as a regime change, not a bad quarter. Margins are getting crushed Under the hood, Bitcoin mining has a very simple cost structure: energy and compute. That simplicity means there are not many ways to protect profits when revenue falls. Wintermute’s analysis shows gross margins in this epoch peaked around 30%, a level that marked the bottom during prior bear markets, not the top. Earlier epochs saw long stretches where miners enjoyed 70–80% margins; now, the “good times” look more like prior stress points. Transaction fees are not saving the day either. Fee spikes tied to hype cycles and mempool congestion show up on charts, but they fade fast and rarely contribute more than a few percent of total miner revenue over time. Wintermute notes that even when you include fees, the margin lines for each cycle barely move apart, especially in the current epoch. In other words, the protocol’s built‑in “second revenue stream” is not acting as a reliable backstop. The AI pivot is an opportunity for a few One path out of the squeeze is getting plenty of attention: pivoting into high‑performance computing (HPC) and AI workloads. Big tech firms and AI startups are racing to lock in power and data center capacity, and they do not want to wait five to ten years for new grid connections and construction. Miners, who already control cheap power and built‑out sites, are a natural shortcut. Wintermute points out that sites once valued at roughly 1–7 dollars per watt as pure mining operations have changed hands at close to 18 dollars per watt after being repositioned for AI compute, helped by deals like HUT’s work with Google and Anthropic. Public‑market investors have rewarded miners that announce credible AI plans with higher valuations and cheaper capital through equity and convertible debt. The catch is that not every miner has the location quality, balance sheet, or operational capacity to turn into a data‑center business. Putting “idle” Bitcoin to work That is where Wintermute sees a second, underused lever: active balance sheet management. Miners together hold close to 1% of all Bitcoin, a legacy of the “HODL” playbook that dominated earlier cycles. At the same time, many listed miners have been selling down parts of their treasuries to cover tighter margins and debt, with some even wiping out holdings altogether. Instead of letting reserves sit idle until they are dumped in a liquidity crunch, Wintermute argues miners should treat BTC like a working asset. On the “active” side, that means using derivatives strategies such as covered calls and cash‑secured puts to earn yield on holdings, at the cost of taking some market risk. On the “passive” side, miners can deploy coins into on‑chain lending markets, including a new wrapped‑BTC market on Wildcat that Wintermute has highlighted, to generate interest income. Wintermute’s bottom line is that Bitcoin’s design is working, but the easy era for miners is over. Difficulty can still adjust, yet it cannot overcome slower price growth, a fee market that has not scaled, and rising energy costs that eat into every block reward. The AI pivot will likely reshape the upper tier of the industry, turning some miners into full‑blown infrastructure companies. This post AI Pivot Won’t Save Everyone, Wintermute Tells Bitcoin Miners first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for South African Eskom Considering Discount Power for Bitcoin Miners as Solar Creates Surplus

South African Eskom Considering Discount Power for Bitcoin Miners as Solar Creates Surplus

Bitcoin Magazine South African Eskom Considering Discount Power for Bitcoin Miners as Solar Creates Surplus Eskom, a South African electricity public utility, is exploring plans to sell excess daytime electricity to Bitcoin mining companies as rooftop solar installations reduce grid demand during daylight hours. Speaking at the Biznews Conference 2026 in Hermanus, Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati said the utility is evaluating ways to monetize surplus power generated during the middle of the day, according to local reporting. South Africa’s rapid adoption of rooftop solar systems has begun to reshape the country’s electricity demand profile. Many households and businesses now generate their own power during daylight hours, leaving Eskom with unused capacity once solar panels begin producing electricity. Nyati said the pattern is increasingly predictable. Demand spikes in the early morning as households prepare for work and businesses open. As solar generation ramps up later in the day, grid demand falls, leaving Eskom with surplus electricity. Eskom is looking at creative ways and means of using that capacity. One option under review is offering discounted electricity to Bitcoin mining companies operating in South Africa. The sector runs large data centers that perform energy-intensive computations to secure the Bitcoin network. Nyati said industries such as Bitcoin mining are contributing to rising global electricity demand. He said that the technology did not exist two decades ago but now represents a growing source of power consumption. Selling excess electricity to miners could allow Eskom to generate revenue from power that might otherwise go unused during solar-heavy hours. South African Bitcoin mining opportunities The idea also builds on earlier comments from Eskom chief executive Dan Marokane, who said the state-owned utility is examining opportunities tied to Bitcoin mining, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and large-scale data centers. Those sectors require large, continuous electricity supplies and could provide new demand for Eskom’s generation fleet. Nyati framed the initiative as part of a broader strategy to adapt to structural changes in South Africa’s electricity market. The country’s power sector is opening to private investment, allowing independent companies to build generation capacity and compete in electricity distribution. At the same time, rising rooftop solar adoption is shifting demand away from the national grid. Nyati said Eskom must adapt to remain viable in a more competitive environment. Alongside new revenue strategies, Eskom is pursuing cost reductions. Nyati said the utility plans to eliminate about R112 billion in expenses over the next five years. Reducing those costs could help lower electricity prices for households and energy-intensive industries such as mining and smelting. Despite the changes in the energy landscape, Nyati said South Africa still needs a strong national utility. He argued that Eskom’s coal and nuclear power stations provide the base-load electricity required to support industrial growth and economic development. The proposal to supply discounted electricity to Bitcoin miners reflects how utilities are beginning to treat flexible energy consumers as tools for balancing supply and demand in an evolving power system. This post South African Eskom Considering Discount Power for Bitcoin Miners as Solar Creates Surplus first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Bitcoin Price Reclaims $73,000 as War Shakes Markets, Outperforming Gold and Stocks

Bitcoin Price Reclaims $73,000 as War Shakes Markets, Outperforming Gold and Stocks

Bitcoin Magazine Bitcoin Price Reclaims $73,000 as War Shakes Markets, Outperforming Gold and Stocks The Bitcoin price has outperformed gold, silver, and major U.S. equity indexes since the outbreak of the Iran–Israel conflict escalation 2026, climbing above $73,000 even as oil surged and expectations for near-term interest rate cuts faded. Market data shows Bitcoin price rising about 8% since the first strikes against Iran, reaching a one-month high above $73,000. The move placed the digital asset ahead of several traditional safe-haven and risk assets during a period of geopolitical stress. Gold declined during the same stretch, falling roughly 3% from levels seen before the conflict began. Silver dropped more than 10%, sliding from above $90 to around $82. U.S. equities also weakened, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite each down between 1% and 2%. The divergence came as global markets responded to a surge in energy prices. Crude oil climbed close to 20%, breaking above $100 per barrel for the first time in nearly four years as tensions threatened supply routes across the Middle East. These conditions often pressure crypto markets because higher oil prices and tighter financial conditions raise inflation concerns and reduce risk appetite across global portfolios. The bitcoin price followed that pattern at first. In the hours after the conflict began, the asset dropped sharply as traders cut exposure across crypto derivatives markets. Roughly $300 million in leveraged positions were liquidated during the initial weekend selloff. Bitcoin briefly fell toward the mid-$63,000 range as uncertainty spread through global markets. The selloff matched Bitcoin’s historical behavior during geopolitical shocks, where it often trades in line with other high-beta assets during the first wave of risk reduction. The market response changed during the following week. Bitcoin price recovery Instead of remaining near those lows while energy prices climbed, Bitcoin price recovered steadily and broke back above the $70,000 level. The rebound left it outperforming metals and equities during the same window despite the challenging macro backdrop. Derivatives data via Bitcoin Magazine Pro shows that part of the recovery followed a reset in market leverage. After the liquidation event cleared large speculative positions, traders began rebuilding exposure. Open interest across major exchanges climbed back to roughly 88,000 BTC. The increase signals renewed participation without reaching extreme leverage levels that often precede sharp corrections. Institutional demand also contributed to the rebound. U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded strong inflows during the week. Data from ETF trackers shows the funds attracted about $586 million, marking one of the largest inflow weeks of the year. The flows represent a steady source of demand entering the market even as geopolitical tensions intensified and inflation concerns returned. Robert Mitchnick, head of digital assets at BlackRock, said the behavior of ETF investors has remained stable during periods of volatility. Speaking on CNBC, Mitchnick said ETF flows show a long-term accumulation pattern even during large price declines in Bitcoin price. He said the investor base across financial advisors, institutions, and direct retail buyers has taken a steady approach to the asset, with many participants using price weakness to add exposure. He also pointed to the performance of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT), which continued attracting inflows despite a sharp drop in Bitcoin’s price from its previous peak. Mitchnick said IBIT ranked among the largest ETF inflows globally during 2025 even while the underlying asset declined, highlighting sustained demand from long-term investors. NEW: $14 trillion BlackRock says Bitcoin ETF investors are "long term buy and hold fundamental type investors" and flows are positive "90% of the investor base" are steadily accumulating during this bear market pic.twitter.com/ncI3GCyebq — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 13, 2026 The growth of spot ETFs has expanded Bitcoin’s investor base and deepened market liquidity compared with earlier geopolitical episodes. Institutional capital can now enter the market through regulated products that trade alongside equities. For now, Bitcoin’s performance during the conflict has reinforced its status as a liquid macro asset that reacts to both global market forces and crypto-native demand. While oil, inflation expectations, and central bank policy continue to shape the backdrop, the digital asset has managed to recover faster than many traditional benchmarks during one of the most volatile geopolitical episodes of the year. At the time of writing, Bitcoin price is trading at $72,941. This post Bitcoin Price Reclaims $73,000 as War Shakes Markets, Outperforming Gold and Stocks first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Strategy (MSTR) Bought Over 4,000 Bitcoin Today via STRC As Strong Week Continues

Strategy (MSTR) Bought Over 4,000 Bitcoin Today via STRC As Strong Week Continues

Bitcoin Magazine Strategy (MSTR) Bought Over 4,000 Bitcoin Today via STRC As Strong Week Continues Strategy appears to have purchased more than 4,000 bitcoin on Thursday, according to estimates derived from real-time trading data and community tracking dashboards monitoring the firm’s preferred equity sales. Data from STRC.live and market trackers suggests the purchases were funded through heavy issuance of the company’s Variable Rate Series A Preferred Stock (STRC), a perpetual preferred instrument that Strategy has increasingly used to raise capital for bitcoin accumulation. By end of day in New York, trading activity implied the firm had already raised enough capital to acquire more than 4,000 BTC, marking the largest single-day bitcoin purchase funded through STRC since the instrument launched. The surge follows unusually strong activity earlier in the week. On March 10, STRC recorded a record $409 million in daily trading volume while maintaining roughly 3% 30-day volatility and a one-month volume-weighted average price near $99.78. On-chain indicators and community monitoring suggested that day’s activity funded the purchase of more than 2,000 BTC, already one of the largest one-day accumulations tied to the instrument. Thursday’s pace easily surpassed that figure. Strategy, already the largest public corporate holder of bitcoin, has increasingly leaned on its preferred equity program to finance additional acquisitions. Earlier this year the company amended its at-the-market (ATM) program, allowing multiple agents to sell STRC shares simultaneously. The change increased liquidity in the instrument and made it easier for Strategy to raise large amounts of capital quickly, with proceeds directed toward bitcoin purchases. Real-time dashboards tracking STRC trading attempt to estimate how many shares Strategy itself is issuing versus secondary market trades. Because the company previously indicated it may sell shares when the price trades above its $100 stated amount, analysts can approximate capital raised when trading occurs above that threshold. A recent SEC filing disclosed that the company purchased 17,994 BTC between March 2 and March 8 for approximately $1.28 billion. That acquisition lifted the firm’s total holdings to about 738,731 BTC, representing roughly 3.5% of bitcoin’s circulating supply. The filing showed the purchase was funded through a combination of $377.1 million in STRC sales and $899.5 million raised through common stock issuance. Based on those figures, STRC accounted for about 29.5% of the funding for that five-day accumulation period, equivalent to roughly 5,300 BTC acquired through preferred share sales. If Thursday’s estimates prove accurate, the day’s purchases alone could exceed the average daily bitcoin acquisition pace seen during that earlier buying window. The data remains unofficial. Strategy typically confirms purchases later through SEC filings or public disclosures. BREAKING: Michael Saylor's Strategy is now estimated to have accumulated 4,038 BTC today via STRC Nearly double it's previous daily record! pic.twitter.com/aFzTtwIE2R — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 12, 2026 How does Strategy’s STRC work? STRC acts as a bridge between traditional income investors and Strategy’s Bitcoin-focused balance sheet. Income investors typically seek steady payouts, while Strategy’s large Bitcoin holdings bring long-term upside along with short-term price swings. The preferred stock helps connect these two profiles. The security is structured to keep demand near its $100 par value while paying a monthly dividend that yields about 11.5% annually. In effect, it converts the economics of a Bitcoin treasury into a format that appeals to fixed-income investors who prioritize regular income. Strong liquidity and relatively low volatility suggest that the investor base is shifting toward income-focused capital. That shift can help stabilize trading activity compared with instruments driven mainly by speculation. These early results point to product-market fit. Rather than relying on marketing or hype, the structure appears to meet a clear demand among investors seeking yield tied to Bitcoin exposure. For corporate leaders considering Bitcoin treasury strategies, STRC offers a way to integrate Bitcoin into broader capital structures. It allows companies to draw funding from multiple investor groups while building a shared strategic reserve around the asset. At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades near $70,000, while shares of MicroStrategy (MSTR) are down about 0.75% on the day. This post Strategy (MSTR) Bought Over 4,000 Bitcoin Today via STRC As Strong Week Continues first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for David Bailey Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

David Bailey Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker

Bitcoin Magazine David Bailey Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker David Bailey has been officially confirmed as a speaker at Bitcoin 2026, returning to the conference he helped build to share his perspective on Bitcoin’s expanding role across media, capital markets, and corporate strategy. As the Chairman and CEO of Nakamoto Inc. (NASDAQ: NAKA), Bailey has executed one of the most ambitious consolidation plays in Bitcoin’s history — bringing together BTC Inc., and UTXO Management under a single publicly traded Bitcoin operating company. His vision extends far beyond media: Nakamoto is positioned as a diversified Bitcoin enterprise spanning asset management, advisory services, and institutional infrastructure, with Bitcoin accumulation at its core. Bailey has long been a central force in shaping how the global Bitcoin community organizes, communicates, and grows. Under his leadership, BTC Inc. became the parent company of Bitcoin Magazine — the longest-running source of Bitcoin news and commentary, first published in 2012 — while also building The Bitcoin Conference into the largest Bitcoin event series in the world, drawing more than 67,000 attendees across U.S., Asia, Europe, and Middle East events in 2025 alone. His work through Bitcoin for Corporations has further accelerated institutional adoption, connecting over 40 member companies with the education and networks needed to integrate Bitcoin into their treasuries. With the Nakamoto acquisition of BTC Inc. and UTXO now complete, Bailey arrives at Bitcoin 2026 at a defining moment — not just for his own company, but for the broader Bitcoin ecosystem. Bitcoin Magazine is published by BTC Inc, a subsidiary of Nakamoto Inc. (NASDAQ: NAKA) Bitcoin 2026 Returns to Las Vegas Bigger Than Ever Bitcoin 2026 will take place April 27–29 at The Venetian, Las Vegas, and is expected to be the biggest Bitcoin event of the year. Focused on the future of money, Bitcoin 2026 will bring together Bitcoin builders, investors, miners, policymakers, technologists, and newcomers from around the world. The event will feature a wide range of pass types, including general admission passes designed specifically for those new to Bitcoin, alongside premium passes for professionals, enterprises, and institutions. With multiple stages, immersive experiences, technical workshops, and headline keynotes, Bitcoin 2026 is designed to serve both first-time attendees and long-time Bitcoiners shaping the next era of global adoption. Past Bitcoin Conferences in the U.S. Bitcoin’s flagship conference has scaled dramatically over the past five years: 2021 – Miami: 11,000 attendees 2022 – Miami: 26,000 attendees 2023 – Miami: 15,000 attendees 2024 – Nashville: 22,000 attendees 2025 – Las Vegas: 35,000 attendees Get Your Bitcoin 2026 Pass Bitcoin Magazine readers can save 10% on Bitcoin 2026 tickets using code ‘ARTICLE10‘ at checkout. Stay at The official hotel of Bitcoin 2026, The Venetian, and get a guaranteed low rate plus 15% off your pass. Be in the middle of where the fun is all happening, and where the networking never ends. Bring your whole team to Bitcoin 2026 and get 20% off your entire order, bring more than six in a group and get 25% off for a limited time. Volunteer at Bitcoin 2026 and get Pro Pass access plus exclusive perks. Location: The Venetian, Las Vegas Dates: April 27–29, 2026 With tens of thousands of attendees expected and hundreds of major speakers like David Bailey already confirmed, now is the time to lock in your ticket. Buy Bitcoin 2026 Tickets — Save 10% Why Attend Bitcoin 2026? Bitcoin 2026 is the definitive gathering for anyone serious about the future of money. With 500+ speakers, multiple world-class stages, and programming spanning Bitcoin fundamentals, open-source development, enterprise adoption, mining, energy, AI, policy, and culture, the conference brings every corner of the Bitcoin ecosystem together under one roof. From headline keynotes on the Nakamoto Stage to deep technical sessions for builders, institutional strategy discussions for enterprises, and beginner-friendly Bitcoin 101 education, Bitcoin 2026 is designed for everyone—from first-time attendees to the leaders shaping Bitcoin’s global adoption. Whether you’re looking to learn, build, invest, network, or influence, Bitcoin 2026 is where Bitcoin’s next chapter is written. Bitcoin 2026 Pass Types: Something for Everyone Bitcoin 2026 offers a range of pass options designed to meet the needs of newcomers, professionals, enterprises, and high-net-worth Bitcoiners alike. Bitcoin 2026 General Admission Pass Ideal for newcomers and those looking to experience the heart of the conference. Limited access on Days 2 & 3 Entry to Main Stage Access to Genesis Stage Full access to the Expo Hall Bitcoin 2026 Pro Pass Designed for professionals, operators, and serious Bitcoin participants. Includes all General Admission features, plus: Full 3-day access, including Pro Day Entry to the Pro Pass Reception Access to Enterprise Hall, Enterprise Stage, and Networking Lounge Conference App networking features Access to the Bitcoin For Corporations Symposium Entry to Compute Village and Energy Stage Complimentary lunch, coffee, tea, and snacks Dedicated registration and check-in Reserved seating at Main Stage Huge savings when you bundle your hotel and Pro Pass Bitcoin 2026 Whale Pass The all-inclusive, premium Bitcoin 2026 experience. Includes all Pro Pass features, plus: Reserved seating at Main Stage All-inclusive gourmet food and beverages Entry to Whale Night and Whale Reception Access to all official after-parties Networking app access to connect with other Whales Premium access to The Deep — an exclusive networking lounge with intimate speaker sessions Complimentary stay at The Venetian when you bundle your whale pass and hotel (use promo code ‘WHALEHOTEL’ here) This is the most immersive way to experience Bitcoin 2026. Bitcoin 2026 After Hours Pass Your ticket to the night. Most deals are done with a drink in your hand. Get exclusive access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties across Las Vegas — each with a 2-hour open bar — where the real conversations happen and the best connections are made. Access to 3 official Bitcoin 2026 after-parties 2-hour open bar at each event Evening events across Las Vegas, April 27–29 Network with Bitcoiners, builders, and industry leaders after hours More headline speaker announcements are coming soon. Don’t miss Bitcoin 2026. This post David Bailey Confirmed As A Bitcoin 2026 Speaker first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Jenna Montgomery.

Cover image for Policy Group Calls for Bitcoin Inclusion in Proposed Crypto Tax Exemption

Policy Group Calls for Bitcoin Inclusion in Proposed Crypto Tax Exemption

Bitcoin Magazine Policy Group Calls for Bitcoin Inclusion in Proposed Crypto Tax Exemption The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) is urging Congress to broaden proposed de minimis tax relief for digital assets beyond payment stablecoins to include bitcoin and other major network tokens. Under current law, bitcoin is treated as property, which means every purchase with the asset triggers a capital gains calculation, regardless of transaction size. BPI argues that this framework discourages routine payments, such as buying coffee or sending small remittances, because users must track cost basis and report minor gains and losses.​ Lawmakers have worked on several approaches in the 119th Congress. Senator Cynthia Lummis introduced a standalone bill that would create a 300 dollar per‑transaction threshold with a 5,000 dollar annual cap and address mining and staking taxation. House members Max Miller and Steven Horsford floated a discussion draft tied to the PARITY Act that would apply a narrower exemption to regulated payment stablecoins and target a 200 dollar threshold consistent with foreign currency rules.​ BPI describes that shift toward a “stablecoin‑only” de minimis model as a significant departure from earlier bipartisan efforts to cover a broader range of digital assets. The group contends that limiting relief to stablecoins would leave most bitcoin payments subject to full reporting obligations while also failing to account for the fact that stablecoin transactions rely on separate network tokens for transaction fees, which remain taxable events.​ In response, BPI has led a coalition letter to key tax writers and mounted an outreach campaign on Capitol Hill, meeting with 19 congressional offices across both chambers over the past three months. The organization is pressing for a value‑based exemption that would apply to both GENIUS‑compliant payment stablecoins and large‑cap network tokens, potentially up to 600 dollars per transaction with an annual cap near 20,000 dollars. BPI warns that with midterm politics approaching and Senator Lummis set to leave the Senate in January 2027, the window for comprehensive digital asset tax reform may close if Congress does not advance a package before an expected legislative push in August 2026. Coinbase rejects claims they opposed Bitcoin tax relief All this comes as Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad and CEO Brian Armstrong recently denied allegations that the exchange lobbied against the proposed de minimis tax exemption for Bitcoin, responding on X to claims made by Bitcoin podcaster Marty Bent. Shirzad called the accusation “a total lie,” stating the company had never and would never lobby against Bitcoin. The denial followed Bent’s March 11 report alleging Coinbase had told lawmakers the exemption was unnecessary because Bitcoin was not widely used as money. According to Bent, the company argued that a de minimis exemption would amount to a “handout” unlikely to pass and was instead advocating for stablecoin-focused tax treatment that could benefit its own business model. Bent later said he had three sources supporting the claim. Armstrong rejected the allegation, calling the rumor “totally false” after being publicly asked for clarification by Jack Dorsey of Block Inc.. This post Policy Group Calls for Bitcoin Inclusion in Proposed Crypto Tax Exemption first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Hit Record High as Institutions Accumulate 2.8x Mining Supply: Report

Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Hit Record High as Institutions Accumulate 2.8x Mining Supply: Report

Bitcoin Magazine Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Hit Record High as Institutions Accumulate 2.8x Mining Supply: Report Corporate ownership of bitcoin has reached a new high in early 2026 as exchange-traded funds, multinational corporations, and private firms expand their exposure to the asset, according to the latest corporate adoption report from BitcoinTreasuries.net. The data shows that institutional demand now forms a central pillar of the bitcoin market. Public companies, private firms, ETFs, and government-linked entities collectively hold a growing share of the circulating supply, with a small number of large buyers responsible for most accumulation. The findings illustrate a shift in bitcoin’s ownership structure. Early adoption was driven by retail investors and technology enthusiasts. Today, large financial vehicles and corporate balance sheets shape the flow of capital into the asset. A major force behind that transition has been the rise of spot BTC ETFs. These funds have accumulated substantial reserves since their introduction in major markets, offering investors exposure through regulated exchange-listed products rather than direct custody of the underlying asset. Institutional allocators often prefer ETFs because they fit within traditional portfolio frameworks and comply with regulatory requirements. The result has been a steady inflow of capital into ETF products, tightening supply on exchanges and anchoring bitcoin within mainstream financial markets. Alongside ETFs, a small group of public companies continues to dominate direct corporate ownership. The largest holders maintain treasuries measured in tens of thousands of bitcoin and treat the asset as a primary reserve rather than a speculative investment. Strategy is dominating bitcoin treasury activity The most prominent example remains Strategy, the software firm led by Michael Saylor. Strategy continued to expand its holdings during February, purchasing 5,075 BTC through a series of weekly acquisitions. That activity represented roughly 65% of all bitcoin added by corporate treasuries during the month. Despite that buying, February delivered an unusual milestone for the sector. Corporate treasuries collectively added about 7,800 BTC but disposed of approximately 8,600 BTC, producing a net decline of roughly 800 BTC for the first time since standardized data tracking began, according to the report. The setback appears limited when placed within a broader time frame. Corporate treasuries have added roughly 62,000 BTC so far in the first quarter of 2026, with most purchases occurring in January and early March. Strategy again accounted for a large share of those acquisitions, reinforcing its position as the dominant corporate holder. Beyond direct purchases, the structure of corporate bitcoin finance is evolving. Companies linked to the sector now rely on preferred shares, convertible securities, and other forms of “digital credit” to fund acquisitions while offering investors high yields. Among those products, several preferred share classes issued by Strategy and other firms offer yields well above traditional benchmarks. One floating-rate instrument linked to Strategy carries a credit spread of roughly 7.60 percentage points above three-month U.S. Treasury bills, according to research cited in the report. In total, five digital credit instruments tied to bitcoin treasury strategies were projected to distribute about $435 million in dividends by the end of February. Advocates argue that such financing tools allow companies to convert bitcoin’s long-term appreciation potential into steady income streams for investors. During a keynote presentation at the Bitcoin For Corporations 2026 conference, Saylor described the approach as an attempt to extract stable credit returns from bitcoin’s historically volatile price movements. At the same time, smaller public companies have begun experimenting with BTC allocations, though their holdings remain modest compared with the largest corporate treasuries. Many firms treat BTC as a diversification asset or a signal of alignment with digital-asset markets rather than as a primary treasury reserve. Private companies and family-controlled entities represent another important but opaque segment of the market. Public disclosure remains limited, yet available evidence suggests that several large private holders accumulated bitcoin over many years and maintain long-term positions outside the scrutiny faced by public companies. Regional patterns also shape corporate adoption. Firms based in North America and parts of Europe show higher levels of exposure, reflecting more developed capital markets and regulatory frameworks for digital assets. In jurisdictions with unclear tax treatment or strict financial rules, companies often hesitate to hold bitcoin directly, according to the report. Treasuries bought bitcoin 2.8× issuance Another notable dynamic involves the relationship between corporate treasuries and the bitcoin supply itself. Since the April 2024 halving, companies tracked by BitcoinTreasuries.net have acquired BTC at a pace that frequently exceeds new mining output. Across a survey of 94 weeks since the halving event, treasury companies accumulated bitcoin at about 2.8 times the rate at which new coins entered circulation through mining. Over a shorter window, Strategy alone acquired roughly 1.8 times the BTC produced by miners. Those figures highlight how institutional demand can influence supply conditions in the market. When long-term holders absorb newly mined coins, the amount available for trading declines, which can amplify price movements during periods of rising demand. This post Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Hit Record High as Institutions Accumulate 2.8x Mining Supply: Report first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Paraguay Adopts Stricter Crypto Oversight, Mandates Detailed Transaction on Bitcoin Reporting

Paraguay Adopts Stricter Crypto Oversight, Mandates Detailed Transaction on Bitcoin Reporting

Bitcoin Magazine Paraguay Adopts Stricter Crypto Oversight, Mandates Detailed Transaction on Bitcoin Reporting Paraguay’s National Directorate of Tax Revenue (DNIT) has issued General Resolution No. 47/26, imposing comprehensive reporting requirements for bitcoin and crypto activity. The rule targets Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital assets. It mandates that residents and entities disclose nearly all transactions exceeding $5,000 per year. The resolution requires platforms and administrators to submit detailed data, including wallet addresses, blockchain networks, and transaction hashes. Obligated parties must also report the date and time of each transaction, the amount and USD value, fees paid, and counterparty information, according to local reporting. The measure covers buying, selling, trading between cryptocurrencies, mining, staking, yield farming, airdrops, lending income, payments, and transfers between personal wallets. Officials describe the initiative as a step toward integrating cryptocurrencies into the national tax system. “Proper identification and monitoring will strengthen oversight and compliance,” the DNIT stated. The regulation does not create new taxes but increases transparency for fiscal authorities. The resolution aligns with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Since 2019, FATF has urged countries to enforce strict reporting requirements on virtual assets to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. Paraguay, as a member of GAFILAT, has incorporated these guidelines to improve anti-money laundering enforcement and reduce international scrutiny. The regulation arrives during a period of broader legal and financial transition. Law No. 7572/2025 on the Securities and Products Market formalizes oversight of tokenized assets, while the Securities Superintendency (SIV) regulates tokens representing property or credit rights. DNIT’s authority, by contrast, covers all cryptocurrency transactions, including decentralized digital assets used as a medium of exchange. Paraguay aims to professionalize its capital market. Over the last decade, the market’s share of national GDP rose from 1% to 15%. Paraguay’s changing crypto oversight The government is also moving to mine Bitcoin using seized rigs and to develop tokenization projects in agribusiness and real estate. Officials hope to attract foreign investment, reduce intermediation costs, and enforce mandatory audits for smart contracts. Separating custody functions from stock exchange operations at the Paraguayan Securities Depository (Cavapy) is planned to strengthen transparency. Regional trends reinforce Paraguay’s direction. Brazil introduced similar reporting rules in 2023, and Argentina has proposed comparable legislation. Multilateral agencies, including the International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank, provided technical support for integrating blockchain analysis and taxation into fiscal systems. Market responses have been measured. Exchanges operating in Paraguay have started updating policies to comply with the new resolution. The DNIT resolution represents the first phase of Paraguay’s comprehensive cryptocurrency oversight. Implementation will continue through 2026, with subsequent phases addressing taxation and compliance verification, according to reports. This post Paraguay Adopts Stricter Crypto Oversight, Mandates Detailed Transaction on Bitcoin Reporting first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Binance: U.S. Midterms Historically Followed by Strong Bitcoin Gains

Binance: U.S. Midterms Historically Followed by Strong Bitcoin Gains

Bitcoin Magazine Binance: U.S. Midterms Historically Followed by Strong Bitcoin Gains New research from Binance suggests the upcoming 2026 United States midterm elections could set the stage for a recovery in both Bitcoin and equities, even as markets face pressure from geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices. In a report released this week, Binance Research found that risk assets have shown a consistent rebound after U.S. midterm election cycles. Historical data shows the S&P 500 has produced an average return of 19% in the 12 months following midterm elections, with no negative annual return recorded since 1939. Bitcoin has shown an even stronger pattern in the limited number of cycles since its emergence as a liquid asset. In the three post-midterm years on record, the cryptocurrency delivered an average gain of 54%, according to the report. “Once election outcomes are determined and uncertainty is resolved, markets have historically staged powerful rallies,” the report stated. NEW: Binance report shows that following US midterm elections, "Bitcoin has rallied an average of 54% in all three post-midterm years on record." Midterm elections are this year pic.twitter.com/xPVeB0wkaZ — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) March 12, 2026 The research arrives about eight months before voters head to the polls on Nov. 3 to determine the composition of the 120th Congress. Historically, midterm election years have produced some of the most volatile periods in the four-year presidential cycle as investors adjust expectations around fiscal policy, regulation, and government spending. Binance Research noted that midterm years have often brought meaningful drawdowns before the subsequent recovery. The S&P 500 has experienced an average peak-to-trough decline of about 16% during midterm election years, making it the weakest period in the presidential cycle. Bitcoin has shown similar behavior in past cycles, though with greater volatility. The cryptocurrency posted sharp declines during the previous three midterm years on record, including a 56% drawdown in 2014, a 73% decline in 2018, and a 64% drop in 2022. Despite those losses, each cycle was followed by a strong recovery once the election period passed, Binance wrote. Bitcoin, oil, Iran, and macro events Market participants say the historical pattern reflects the removal of political uncertainty once the balance of power in Washington becomes clear. Fiscal policy expectations, regulatory agendas, and legislative priorities tend to stabilize after election outcomes are known, giving investors a clearer framework for positioning capital. The report also touched on the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran as a central source of macro risk. Disruptions tied to the conflict have pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important shipping corridors for global energy markets. The energy shock has added pressure to risk assets across global markets, including Bitcoin. Binance analysts say sustained supply disruptions could keep oil prices elevated and weigh on investor sentiment. Bitcoin has traded near the $70,000 level in recent sessions, with market structure showing repeated liquidity sweeps above and below key price ranges. Derivatives analysts say that pattern suggests traders are waiting for clearer signals from macro events before taking directional positions. Despite near-term uncertainty, Binance Research argues that the historical record around U.S. midterm cycles offers a longer-term perspective for investors. If the pattern holds, the months following the 2026 midterm elections could provide one of the strongest windows for risk assets in the political cycle, potentially setting up a new rally for both equities and Bitcoin once political uncertainty fades. This post Binance: U.S. Midterms Historically Followed by Strong Bitcoin Gains first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Ark Labs Raises $5.2M with Tether to Bring Programmable Finance to Bitcoin

Ark Labs Raises $5.2M with Tether to Bring Programmable Finance to Bitcoin

Bitcoin Magazine Ark Labs Raises $5.2M with Tether to Bring Programmable Finance to Bitcoin A startup focused on expanding Bitcoin’s financial capabilities has raised fresh capital as interest grows in building more complex financial tools on the network. Ark Labs announced it secured $5.2 million in a seed funding round led by Tether alongside investors including Ego Death Capital, Epoch VC, Lion26, Sats Ventures and Contribution Capital. Additional participants include Anchorage Digital and angel investors such as Ralph Ho, former vice president of finance at PayPal, according to a note shared with Bitcoin Magazine. The funding coincides with new support for stablecoins and digital assets on Ark Labs’ core infrastructure platform, Arkade. The company said the capital will help expand development and onboard partners building financial applications on top of the system. The round brings Ark Labs’ total institutional funding to more than $7.7 million. Earlier backing came from firms including Draper Associates, Fulgur Ventures and Axiom Capital. Ark Labs is attempting to address a long-running tension within the Bitcoin ecosystem. While Bitcoin is widely regarded as the most liquid and secure digital asset network, many developers have argued that it lacks the native programmability that powers decentralized finance and complex payment systems on other blockchains. According to Marco Argentieri, CEO of Ark Labs, the company’s infrastructure is meant to bridge that gap. “Bitcoin is the most liquid digital asset in the world, but it has lacked the programmable infrastructure that financial applications require,” Argentieri said. “Our partners are building payments, lending, and digital asset solutions on Bitcoin, and Tether’s involvement will help accelerate those efforts.” The Arkade platform functions as an execution layer designed to support financial operations that go beyond simple transfers. In traditional payment systems, features such as transaction authorization, escrow, conditional spending, and payment holds form the backbone of commerce. Ark Labs says its infrastructure aims to bring similar capabilities to Bitcoin-based financial products. Developers building on Arkade are exploring use cases ranging from retail payments and lending markets to cross-network settlement between blockchain systems. ‘Stablecoins were built on bitcoin’ The system also targets a category of emerging applications sometimes referred to as “autonomous commerce,” where software agents execute transactions on behalf of users. These models require strict spending rules and programmable controls to operate safely, features that Ark Labs believes Bitcoin-based infrastructure can support. Tether’s participation signals growing interest in expanding stablecoin activity around Bitcoin’s ecosystem. While stablecoins dominate trading and payments across many blockchains, their presence on Bitcoin has remained limited. “Stablecoins were born on Bitcoin, and expanding access on the Bitcoin network remains a priority for us,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “Infrastructure that makes it easier to issue, move, and settle stablecoins directly on Bitcoin can support broader access to digital dollars.” For Ark Labs, the next phase centers on scaling the ecosystem around its platform. The company plans to use the new funding to expand its developer relations team, refine product tooling, and support partners building production-grade applications. “Every fintech building digital products faces the same question: whose infrastructure do you depend on?” said Alex Bergeron, head of ecosystem at Ark Labs. “On many networks that infrastructure is controlled by a single company. Our goal is to offer an open alternative built around Bitcoin.” As digital finance infrastructure continues to evolve, Ark Labs is betting that the demand for programmable tools will extend to the industry’s oldest blockchain. Whether developers choose to build there may determine how far that vision goes. This post Ark Labs Raises $5.2M with Tether to Bring Programmable Finance to Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.

Cover image for Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Strategy With Venture Fund and Asset Management Unit

Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Strategy With Venture Fund and Asset Management Unit

Bitcoin Magazine Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Strategy With Venture Fund and Asset Management Unit Tokyo-listed bitcoin treasury firm Metaplanet is expanding its strategy beyond holding bitcoin, announcing the launch of two subsidiaries aimed at building financial infrastructure around the digital asset and linking Asian and Western capital markets. The company said its board approved the creation of Metaplanet Ventures and Metaplanet Asset Management, alongside a planned investment in Japanese stablecoin issuer JPYC Inc. The move marks a step toward developing services and capital markets tied to Bitcoin as the company deepens its role in the broader digital asset ecosystem. Metaplanet Ventures will function as the firm’s venture capital arm, with plans to deploy roughly ¥4 billion (about $25 million) over the next several years. The investments will target companies building financial infrastructure for bitcoin in Japan, including platforms focused on lending, payments, custody, derivatives, stablecoins and compliance tools. According to the company, the unit will operate across three initiatives: venture investments in early-stage and growth-stage startups, an incubator program for founders developing bitcoin infrastructure, and a grants initiative for open-source developers, researchers and educators. Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich said the program reflects the company’s view that Japan has strong regulatory foundations for digital assets but still requires a deeper ecosystem of builders and financial services. “Japan has built the best regulatory framework in the world for digital assets,” Gerovich wrote in a post on X. “Now it needs the companies, the builders, and the infrastructure to match.” The venture arm’s first investment will be a ¥400 million (around $2.5 million) commitment to JPYC Inc. as part of the firm’s Series B funding round. JPYC issues a yen-denominated stablecoin designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the Japanese yen through reserves held in bank deposits and government bonds. The token operates across several blockchains including Ethereum, Avalanche and Polygon. Gerovich framed the investment as part of a broader shift toward digital settlement infrastructure surrounding bitcoin markets. “Every bitcoin transaction has two sides: bitcoin and a currency,” he said. “As this market goes institutional, that currency side goes digital.” Metaplanet’s focus on digital credit In parallel, Metaplanet is establishing Metaplanet Asset Management as a Miami-based subsidiary focused on digital credit and bitcoin capital markets. The unit will serve as a platform for asset management and advisory services tied to bitcoin investment strategies. According to company disclosures, the business plans to develop a range of products spanning bitcoin yield instruments, fixed-income structures and actively managed strategies covering equity, credit, commodities and volatility. The firm said the platform aims to bridge Asian and Western capital markets by structuring regulated bitcoin-related investment products and providing advisory services around digital asset capital formation. The expansion comes as Metaplanet continues to build one of the largest corporate bitcoin treasuries in Asia. The company currently holds about 35,102 BTC, worth roughly $2.4 billion at recent market prices. Despite its aggressive bitcoin accumulation strategy, the company reported a net loss of roughly ¥95 billion ($598 million) for 2025. The loss was driven largely by unrealized valuation declines tied to movements in the price of bitcoin. Gerovich has argued these accounting losses do not reflect the long-term strategy behind the company’s holdings, noting that the firm does not intend to sell its bitcoin reserves. He also pointed to the company’s operating performance, which showed a sharp increase in profit from its core business operations. This post Metaplanet Expands Bitcoin Strategy With Venture Fund and Asset Management Unit first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.