Latest news with #Bitcoin-related
Business Mayor
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Mayor
Bitcoin ownership surpasses gold in the US as 50M Americans hold BTC
50 million Americans now own Bitcoin, surpassing 37 million gold holders. US firms hold 94.8% of publicly traded companies' Bitcoin reserves. US leads globally with 40% of all Bitcoin companies headquartered domestically. Bitcoin has officially outpaced gold in US ownership, marking a significant pivot in the country's investment landscape. According to a new report released on 20 May by Bitcoin investment firm River, roughly 50 million Americans now own Bitcoin, compared to 37 million who own gold. This data underscores the rise of Bitcoin as a preferred store of value, reshaping traditional notions of economic security and reserve asset status. As Bitcoin ownership expands, it's increasingly seen not just as a speculative instrument, but as a fundamental part of US financial infrastructure. US leads in global Bitcoin adoption and infrastructure The River report notes that the United States is the global leader in Bitcoin adoption, with 40 percent of all Bitcoin-related companies headquartered in the country. American firms also hold 94.8 percent of all Bitcoin owned by publicly traded companies worldwide, reflecting significant institutional backing. This dominance is supported by a robust ecosystem comprising crypto-focused startups, spot ETF launches, and policies promoting digital asset development. Regulatory momentum in Washington has further strengthened Bitcoin's foundation in the financial system. Recent discussions around treating Bitcoin as a potential strategic reserve asset suggest growing political acceptance. Several politicians have floated the idea of the US government maintaining a Bitcoin reserve, signalling institutional confidence amid rising concerns over the US dollar's long-term stability. Strategic demand rises amid economic uncertainty The shift toward Bitcoin is occurring alongside broader macroeconomic concerns. Moody's recent downgrade of the US credit rating—ending over a century of top-tier ratings—has reinforced the appeal of decentralised alternatives. Read More INX Announces the Listing of $TRUMP, $MELANIA, and Solana (SOL) Investors increasingly view Bitcoin as a hedge against fiscal instability and inflation, particularly given its fixed supply and decentralised governance model. Bitcoin also offers practical advantages over gold in the digital age. The ease of storage, cross-border transfer, and liquidity make it an attractive option for both individual and institutional investors. This is particularly relevant in an era where digital finance is becoming the norm and where traditional safe-haven assets like gold face logistical and accessibility limitations. Rising ownership brings attention to volatility risks While Bitcoin is gaining legitimacy as a reserve asset, it remains a volatile asset class. Unlike gold, which has maintained relatively steady valuations over time, Bitcoin has experienced frequent price swings—something that may deter more risk-averse investors. Nonetheless, the market appears to be increasingly tolerant of this volatility, especially as long-term returns continue to outperform traditional assets. Institutional support also plays a key role in this shift. Major asset managers such as BlackRock are incorporating Bitcoin into their portfolios, further validating its status. Meanwhile, crypto ETFs and custodial services are helping to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset space, making it easier for Americans to gain exposure to Bitcoin without navigating complex self-custody solutions. As Bitcoin ownership grows, it reflects not just a shift in preference, but a broader transformation in how Americans perceive financial security and resilience. The trend is still developing, but the numbers now place Bitcoin squarely ahead of gold—at least in terms of how many Americans are betting on it.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Surprising stock jumps over 30% after SEC confirms merger
Shares of KindlyMD, Inc. (Nasdaq: KDLY) soared over 30% on May 21 after the healthcare firm confirmed via an SEC filing that its shareholders have approved a high-profile merger with Bitcoin company Nakamoto Holdings. The post-market filing sent KDLY from $15.22 to $19.83 in a day, continuing an astonishing rally with shares up over 1,127% year-to-date. Bitcoin-native businesses hold Bitcoin as part of their treasury strategy. The parties disclosed the deal on May 12. They anticipated closing within the third quarter of 2025 after a 20-day notice period when both companies file their informational statement with the SEC. This merger represents a sea change for Kindly MD, which is historically a healthcare provider and is now a Bitcoin investment vehicle. Nakamoto Holdings was founded by Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey, who advised Donald Trump on crypto policy during the 2024 presidential campaign. Per the statement, the combined company will use equity, debt, and other instruments to finance its Bitcoin-related growth. This deal underscores how traditional companies are pursuing crypto-like exposure, particularly in Bitcoin, which many believe is a long-term store of value. KDLY's explosive rise has also motivated other healthcare companies to integrate Bitcoin as part of their treasury strategy. On May 16, Basel Medical, a Singapore-based healthcare organization, announced plans for a $1 billion Bitcoin deal to provide liquidity to its balance sheet. As per Kraken, Bitcoin was trading at $107,215 at press time, only 2% short of its record high.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JPMorgan to Allow Bitcoin Trading; Will Vanguard?
In a major shift, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon announced on Monday that the bank will now allow its clients to purchase Bitcoin, marking a notable departure from his long-standing skepticism toward the cryptocurrency. Despite his personal reservations—having previously labeled Bitcoin as "worthless" and likening it to a "pet rock"—Dimon acknowledged the growing demand from clients for access to digital assets. While JPMorgan will not provide custody services for Bitcoin, it will include the holdings in client statements, aligning the bank more closely with competitors like Morgan Stanley, which began facilitating Bitcoin purchases for clients in August 2024. This move by JPMorgan underscores the expanding institutional adoption of Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The $4 trillion financial services giant joins a growing list of major financial institutions, including Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, that have started offering Bitcoin-related services to meet client demand. However, not all firms are embracing this trend. Vanguard, the world's second-largest investment firm, continues to prohibit trading of spot Bitcoin ETFs on its brokerage platform, maintaining a cautious stance toward cryptocurrency investments. The launch of the first spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 marked a turning point for institutional involvement in the cryptocurrency market. Firms like BlackRock and Fidelity quickly entered the space, offering clients exposure to Bitcoin through regulated investment vehicles. Morgan Stanley followed suit, allowing its wealth advisors to pitch spot Bitcoin ETFs and exploring cryptocurrency trading through its E*Trade platform. These developments reflect a broader shift in the financial industry, as traditional institutions seek to accommodate client interest in digital assets. The success of these ETFs, which have accumulated significant assets under management, indicates a growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a legitimate investment option. Despite the momentum in the industry, Vanguard remains a notable holdout. The firm has explicitly stated that it has no plans to launch its own Bitcoin ETF or offer crypto-related products on its platform. Vanguard's leadership cites concerns about the current state of crypto as an asset class and questions its enduring investment merit. Interestingly, Vanguard's new CEO and previous BlackRock executive, Salim Ramji, oversaw the firm's launch of its Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT). Despite his background, Ramji has affirmed Vanguard's stance, emphasizing the company's commitment to its core values and client needs over following market trends. JPMorgan's decision to allow clients to buy Bitcoin signifies a broader trend of institutional adoption of cryptocurrency, reflecting the evolving landscape of financial services. As more traditional banks and brokerages integrate digital assets into their offerings, the pressure mounts on firms like Vanguard to reassess their positions. However, Vanguard's steadfast approach highlights the ongoing debate within the industry about the role of cryptocurrencies in investment portfolios. As the market continues to mature, the divergence in strategies among major financial institutions will shape the future of crypto adoption in traditional | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Best Cryptocurrency to Buy During Trump's Tariff Battle
After an early-year slide, Bitcoin has reversed direction is now close to regaining its $100,000 price level. Many investors are beginning to view Bitcoin as a safe haven and potential hedge against global uncertainty. If the trade battle escalates in 2025, it could gain momentum as a potential reserve currency for the global financial system. 10 stocks we like better than Bitcoin › There's no denying that new global tariffs have turned the crypto market upside down in 2025. Just take a look at the top 50 cryptocurrencies as ranked by market cap; only a small handful of them are still up year to date. One of those is Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC), which has proved surprisingly resilient. It's now up 12% over the past 30 days and 1% for the year. It is, quite simply, the best cryptocurrency to buy during the current tariff battle, and here's why. There's a simple reason Bitcoin has managed to eke out a 1% gain for the year: Investors are increasingly viewing it as a hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Historically, it has been uncorrelated with any major asset class. In short, it can zig when other assets zag. So, even if the entire U.S. stock market is collapsing due to tariffs, the crypto still has the potential to buck the trend. That makes it very valuable as a potential hedge. Moreover, the digital coin has proved, time and time again, to be resilient against economic and geopolitical shocks. Last September, BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) published a 10-page report on the unique diversification properties of Bitcoin. It included an entire section on how well it has held up during times of crisis. BlackRock looked at six specific shocks to the global economic system that occurred between 2020 and 2024 and found that it actually outperformed gold in five of those six cases. That's interesting, because gold has historically been the one safe-haven asset that investors need to hold during any period of crisis. That's why gold has soared past the $3,000 mark this year, and why some analysts think that it could even hit $4,000 by early 2026. If you are fearful about the future, you buy gold. So, if you buy into the notion that Bitcoin is "digital gold," then it could begin to narrow the performance gap with the precious metal over the course of the next eight months. That could set it up nicely for a nice mini-rally in the second half of 2025, even if global trade is falling off a container ship. On the surface, Bitcoin has very little to do with global trade, tariffs, imports, or exports. There's only a very limited amount of trade that's actually settled in that crypto. Any Bitcoin-related trade typically involves nations that are being sanctioned by the United States, or that are outside the traditional system of global trade. But hedge fund managers, big institutional investors, and Wall Street executives are starting to talk seriously about the digital coin as a potential reserve currency. In their view, investors around the world are starting to lose faith in the U.S. dollar and the U.S. economy. If this trend accelerates, nations around the world might start to look for an alternative reserve currency. For more than a decade, the idea of Bitcoin ultimately replacing the U.S. dollar has been a pet theory of crypto enthusiasts. As they see it, the token is superior to any fiat currency. It is digital, global, non-sovereign, and disinflationary. Until this year, though, few people could have envisioned a day when investors wouldn't want to invest in U.S. assets, hold U.S. dollars, or buy U.S. Treasury debt. But unfortunately, that's where we could be headed, if this current tariff situation doesn't get sorted out fast. Bitcoin would be a likely beneficiary of any de-dollarization trend. Even if Bitcoin does not become the "official" reserve currency of the world, it's easy to imagine a scenario where sovereign governments and central banks around the world start to buy more Bitcoin. You know -- just in case. And that type of new buying would surely push the price higher. It's been fascinating to watch just how quickly investor perceptions have changed over the past few months. In their view, Bitcoin has transformed from being a highly volatile risk-on asset to a relatively safe risk-off asset. As a result, some investors are starting to ratchet up their price forecasts once again. Right now, online prediction markets are suggesting that Bitcoin has a 49% chance of hitting $125,000 in 2025. Of course, $125,000 is significantly below bullish forecasts from January, when many people expected it to double in price from the $100,000 level. But given all the turmoil and uncertainty over tariffs this year, I would be very comfortable with a gain of 25% for the year. Before you buy stock in Bitcoin, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Bitcoin wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $613,546!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $695,897!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 893% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 162% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 5, 2025 Dominic Basulto has positions in Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Best Cryptocurrency to Buy During Trump's Tariff Battle was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin: Bullish Bets, ETF Inflows Support Case for Strong Upside in Coming Weeks
Bitcoin's rise above $90,000 is supported by reduced tariff concerns and growing buyer interest. Ethereum faces pressure, but a push past $110,000 in Bitcoin may spark gains for the asset. A surge in Bitcoin-related investment inflows suggests potential price increases despite ongoing market uncertainty. Looking for actionable trade ideas to navigate the current market volatility? Subscribe here to unlock access to InvestingPro's AI-selected stock winners. As the tariff war begins to ease, buying interest has returned, helping Bitcoin rise above $90,000 per coin. Traders are now focused on the Federal Reserve. No immediate action is expected at the next meeting, but many hope to hear signs of a possible rate cut in June or July, with three reductions of 25 basis points likely in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, ETH/USD, the second-largest crypto asset by market value, is still under pressure. The recent bounce from the $1,400 zone has been weak. Still, if Bitcoin pushes past $110,000, Ethereum may have a chance to gain more ground. Surge in Bitcoin-Related Investment Inflows Recent activity in Bitcoin options and ETF inflows suggests that strong price increases for Bitcoin are likely in the coming weeks. Just under $500 million has flowed into call options set to expire in late June, while over $3 billion has entered ETFs. These movements support the notion that buyers will maintain their advantage, especially if the tariff war does not escalate further and the Federal Reserve continues with planned rate cuts. However, the biggest uncertainty remains with the tariff situation. Despite a temporary lull, Donald Trump has indicated he will reassess trade agreements and take further action. As a result, the market remains uncertain, and this volatility is expected to persist for the next few months. Bitcoin Tests Key Technical Levels Ahead of Historic Highs After successfully defending the long-term support around $74,000 per Bitcoin, demand is picking up. Buyers are now testing the psychological barrier of $100,000, and it could pave the way for a move toward new record highs. BTC Technical Analysis If the support level holds firm, a double peak formation could form near the local support at $89,000 per coin. However, considering both the technical and macroeconomic conditions, the most likely scenario remains a breakout below this support, followed by an attempt to approach the recent historical highs. Ethereum Struggles to Regain Bullish Momentum During the recent downturns, the supply side reached multi-year lows around $1,400 per coin. Buyers are now focusing on the nearest resistance level, which is near $2,200.
