Latest news with #ChrisCook
National Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
Blockstream Shares Key Strategic Update on Growth & Expansion in 2025
Article content Article content MONTREAL, Quebec — Blockstream, the global leader in Bitcoin-powered financial infrastructure, has shared a key strategic update today highlighting several recent milestones, as the company looks to unveil several new innovations to expand Bitcoin's role in institutional finance and everyday user experience later this year. As announced previously, Blockstream raised $210 million in a financing round led by Fulgur Ventures in October 2024, and has already significantly expanded development and investment across its infrastructure and software offerings in 2025. Article content 'We are at a pivotal moment for Bitcoin's growth,' said Blockstream Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Adam Back. 'Spot ETFs have opened the floodgates, institutions are rushing to engage with Bitcoin, and individual interest is accelerating. As we look ahead, we will continue to explore ways to deliver the greatest impact with a focus on building the financial rails and infrastructure to help secure Bitcoin's success long term.' Article content As part of this broader expansion strategy Blockstream Mining, which becomes a newly independent company and will continue to operate under the well-established 'Blockstream Mining' brand, has also entered a new phase of growth, with over $350 million raised through a combination of equity and debt financing, alongside investments in its latest Blockstream Mining Note (BMN2). Article content Former President of Blockstream Mining Chris Cook, who launched and led the division, will serve as CEO of the newly independent company, bringing deep operational expertise and continuity of leadership. Article content Blockstream Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Adam Back, whose technical leadership and long-term vision were instrumental in shaping the mining business, will continue to support the company in an advisory role. Blockstream Satellite, which has long provided global Bitcoin data broadcast coverage, will also transition under the remit of the new mining entity. Article content Blockstream is additionally spinning out its ASIC division as a separate company with Assaf Gilboa as CEO (formerly EVP of Blockstream's Hardware Division), which will include a follow-on investment round and second in-progress round with the use of capital focused on ASIC R&D, including foundry services. Article content Key focus areas for Blockstream will continue to include development on Bitcoin layer-2 networks such as Liquid and Lightning, self-custody solutions like Blockstream Green and Jade, including the all-new Jade Plus, and institutional-grade custody tools. Article content Several new products aimed at creating a more streamlined and integrated user experience across Blockstream's technology stack are set to be unveiled at Bitcoin 2025 – Las Vegas in May. Article content To meet growing institutional demand, Blockstream launched Blockstream Asset Management (BAM) in February 2025, a new division focused on developing Bitcoin investment products for pensions, endowments, foundations and other sophisticated investors. Led by recently appointed CIO Sean Bill, a thirty-year hedge fund industry veteran, BAM reflects Blockstream's strategy to deliver end-to-end Bitcoin solutions built on Blockstream's full technology stack. Article content In January, Blockstream Capital Partners also completed a $75 million strategic investment into Komainu, a regulated digital asset custodian backed by Nomura's Laser Digital. The investment supports the integration of Blockstream's Liquid Network, Asset Management Platform (AMP) and enterprise-grade hardware security module (HSM) into Komainu's custody and off-exchange settlement systems, helping to raise the bar for institutional-grade infrastructure within the Bitcoin ecosystem. Article content Blockstream's long-term commitment to Bitcoin R&D remains at the heart of its vision. In November 2024, the company launched a dedicated research center in Lugano, Switzerland, focused on accelerating product development for the Liquid and Lightning networks and fostering collaboration with startups and academic institutions across Europe. Article content To further support its global expansion, Blockstream also opened a new office in Tokyo in early 2025, strengthening its presence in Asia and expanding collaboration with partners and developers in the region. Article content These efforts reinforce Bitcoin's role as a global financial and settlement layer, while supporting the next wave of decentralized innovation. Article content Founded in 2014, Blockstream is a global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain infrastructure, with offices and team members distributed around the world. Article content Serving as the technology provider for the Liquid Network, Blockstream offers a sidechain solution that enables secure, trustless Bitcoin swap settlements and robust smart contracts, empowering financial institutions to tokenize assets efficiently. Article content The companyʼs Core Lightning is a leading implementation of the open Lightning Network protocol, widely adopted for enterprise Bitcoin Lightning Network deployments. Article content Blockstream Jade, an open-source hardware wallet, delivers advanced security for Bitcoin and Liquid assets in an easy-to-use form factor. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Blockstream Shares Key Strategic Update on Growth & Expansion in 2025
MONTREAL, Quebec--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 30, 2025-- Blockstream, the global leader in Bitcoin-powered financial infrastructure, has shared a key strategic update today highlighting several recent milestones, as the company looks to unveil several new innovations to expand Bitcoin's role in institutional finance and everyday user experience later this year. As announced previously, Blockstream raised $210 million in a financing round led by Fulgur Ventures in October 2024, and has already significantly expanded development and investment across its infrastructure and software offerings in 2025. 'We are at a pivotal moment for Bitcoin's growth,' said Blockstream Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Adam Back . 'Spot ETFs have opened the floodgates, institutions are rushing to engage with Bitcoin, and individual interest is accelerating. As we look ahead, we will continue to explore ways to deliver the greatest impact with a focus on building the financial rails and infrastructure to help secure Bitcoin's success long term.' As part of this broader expansion strategy Blockstream Mining, which becomes a newly independent company and will continue to operate under the well-established 'Blockstream Mining' brand, has also entered a new phase of growth, with over $350 million raised through a combination of equity and debt financing, alongside investments in its latest Blockstream Mining Note (BMN2). Former President of Blockstream Mining Chris Cook, who launched and led the division, will serve as CEO of the newly independent company, bringing deep operational expertise and continuity of leadership. Blockstream Co-Founder and CEO Dr. Adam Back, whose technical leadership and long-term vision were instrumental in shaping the mining business, will continue to support the company in an advisory role. Blockstream Satellite, which has long provided global Bitcoin data broadcast coverage, will also transition under the remit of the new mining entity. Blockstream is additionally spinning out its ASIC division as a separate company with Assaf Gilboa as CEO (formerly EVP of Blockstream's Hardware Division), which will include a follow-on investment round and second in-progress round with the use of capital focused on ASIC R&D, including foundry services. Expanding Blockstream's Infrastructure, Layer-2 Development & Institutional Offerings Key focus areas for Blockstream will continue to include development on Bitcoin layer-2 networks such as Liquid and Lightning, self-custody solutions like Blockstream Green and Jade, including the all-new Jade Plus, and institutional-grade custody tools. Several new products aimed at creating a more streamlined and integrated user experience across Blockstream's technology stack are set to be unveiled at Bitcoin 2025 - Las Vegas in May. To meet growing institutional demand, Blockstream launched Blockstream Asset Management (BAM) in February 2025, a new division focused on developing Bitcoin investment products for pensions, endowments, foundations and other sophisticated investors. Led by recently appointed CIO Sean Bill, a thirty-year hedge fund industry veteran, BAM reflects Blockstream's strategy to deliver end-to-end Bitcoin solutions built on Blockstream's full technology stack. In January, Blockstream Capital Partners also completed a $75 million strategic investment into Komainu, a regulated digital asset custodian backed by Nomura's Laser Digital. The investment supports the integration of Blockstream's Liquid Network, Asset Management Platform (AMP) and enterprise-grade hardware security module (HSM) into Komainu's custody and off-exchange settlement systems, helping to raise the bar for institutional-grade infrastructure within the Bitcoin ecosystem. A Future Centered on Bitcoin Innovation Blockstream's long-term commitment to Bitcoin R&D remains at the heart of its vision. In November 2024, the company launched a dedicated research center in Lugano, Switzerland, focused on accelerating product development for the Liquid and Lightning networks and fostering collaboration with startups and academic institutions across Europe. To further support its global expansion, Blockstream also opened a new office in Tokyo in early 2025, strengthening its presence in Asia and expanding collaboration with partners and developers in the region. These efforts reinforce Bitcoin's role as a global financial and settlement layer, while supporting the next wave of decentralized innovation. For media enquiries, please contact Edward Moore, Blockstream Head of Public Relations ( [email protected] ) About Blockstream Founded in 2014, Blockstream is a global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain infrastructure, with offices and team members distributed around the world. Serving as the technology provider for the Liquid Network, Blockstream offers a sidechain solution that enables secure, trustless Bitcoin swap settlements and robust smart contracts, empowering financial institutions to tokenize assets efficiently. The companyʼs Core Lightning is a leading implementation of the open Lightning Network protocol, widely adopted for enterprise Bitcoin Lightning Network deployments. Blockstream Jade, an open-source hardware wallet, delivers advanced security for Bitcoin and Liquid assets in an easy-to-use form factor. Blockstream Green serves as a gateway to Blockstreamʼs cutting-edge technology suite, seamlessly integrating with Jade, Core Lightning, Bitcoin, and a rapidly-growing portfolio of tokenized assets on Liquid, offering a comprehensive solution for self-custody. View source version on CONTACT: Edward Moore Blockstream Head of Public Relations [email protected] KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY CRYPTOCURRENCY OTHER TECHNOLOGY DIGITAL CASH MANAGEMENT/DIGITAL ASSETS SOURCE: Blockstream Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/30/2025 10:00 AM/DISC: 04/30/2025 10:02 AM
Cision Canada
30-04-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Blockstream Mining Announces Strategic Focus on Proprietary Mining and Vertical Integration
Backed by $350 Million in Financing, Company Scales Infrastructure with Over 120,000 Miners Acquired Since Spinout MONTREAL, April 30, 2025 /CNW/ -- Blockstream Mining, now operating as an independent entity, today announced its sharpened strategic focus on proprietary mining and full vertical integration. The company, which has been a foundational player in the global Bitcoin mining ecosystem since its inception, will concentrate on expanding its self-mining footprint while building the energy infrastructure required to support long-term scalability and resilience. Following its spinout from Blockstream earlier this year, Blockstream Mining has secured over $350 million in financing, including equity, debt, and tokenized asset sales. The capital raise has enabled rapid execution on key infrastructure initiatives, including the acquisition of over 120,000 miners to fuel the company's next phase of growth. "Bitcoin mining is no longer just about machines and megawatts—it's about owning and optimizing the entire value chain," said Chris Cook, CEO of Blockstream Mining. "As the industry matures, those who control their own energy and infrastructure will be best positioned to thrive. We're doubling down on our mission to be one of the most efficient, vertically integrated mining operations in the world." Blockstream Mining is deploying capital toward the development of new energy generation assets—particularly renewable and hybrid power systems—to reduce dependence on third-party providers and shield operations from energy market volatility. This approach supports cost stability, improves environmental performance, and ensures maximum uptime across its expanding fleet. The vertical integration roadmap includes: Expansion of Proprietary Mining: Rapid growth in self-mining capacity across North America, anchored by cost-effective, high-uptime sites. Infrastructure Ownership: Continued investment in power infrastructure and on-site energy generation to maintain control over critical operational inputs. Operational Excellence: Leveraging Blockstream's engineering legacy and technical depth to drive efficiency across deployment, cooling, and energy management. Chris Cook, who launched Blockstream Mining and has led the business since its inception, serves as CEO of the newly independent company. Dr. Adam Back, Co-Founder and CEO of Blockstream, will continue to play a valued role in the company's strategic direction as Chair of the Advisory Board. In this capacity, Dr. Back will provide high-level guidance on technology, infrastructure development, and capital strategy, helping to ensure that Blockstream Mining remains at the forefront of Bitcoin mining innovation. As part of the spinout, the Blockstream Satellite program — which broadcasts Bitcoin's blockchain globally via satellite to enhance network resilience and accessibility — will also transition under the new entity's stewardship. Blockstream Satellite is already an integral part of Blockstream Mining's operations, providing connectivity for mining sites in remote locations where traditional internet infrastructure is unreliable or unavailable, further strengthening the company's commitment to security, uptime, and decentralization. Blockstream Mining has always been about delivering secure, scalable Bitcoin infrastructure," said Dr. Adam Back. "With this transition, Chris and the team are exceptionally well-placed to carry the vision forward—scaling with independence, deep technical expertise, and a steadfast commitment to Bitcoin's long-term success. I look forward to collaborating in this next chapter to build something truly enduring." "We're proud of our roots and even more excited about what comes next," added Cook. "With strong capital backing, clear focus, and full control over our operations, we're building the backbone of Bitcoin's future—one megawatt at a time."
