In a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Strategy (formerly Microstrategy), disclosed the purchase of an additional 6,556 Bitcoin (BTC) at an average price of $95,167 per coin between April 28 and May 4. This latest acquisition brings the company’s total Bitcoin holdings to 555,450 BTC, valued at approximately $38.08 billion, with an average purchase price of $68,550 per BTC. Strategy Announces New $21 Billion ATM Offering The acquisition was financed through a strategic combination of common and preferred stock sales. Specifically, Strategy raised $128.5 million through its common stock at-the-market (ATM) program and an additional $51.8 million from the sale of STRK preferred shares. Notably, this latest transaction exhausts the company’s previous $21 billion ATM offering that was initiated last year. Related Reading: BNB Bulls Target $644 As Classic Chart Formation Emerges Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy and a well-known advocate for BTC, also shared on social media that the company has achieved a year-to-date Bitcoin yield of 14.0% as of May 4, 2025. He emphasized that the firm currently holds 555,450 BTC, acquired for approximately $38.08 billion. In a bid to further bolster its BTC accumulation strategy, Strategy announced last week plans to double its capital raising capacity. This includes introducing a new $21 billion ATM offering and expanding its debt purchase program to $42 billion. These initiatives indicate the company’s commitment to enhancing its BTC-heavy balance sheet, even in light of recent financial challenges, including five consecutive quarterly net losses. Institutional Demand For Bitcoin Surges During its latest earnings call, Strategy unveiled the “42/42 Plan,” a roadmap aimed at raising $84 billion in capital over the next two years. The plan involves splitting the funding equally between equity and fixed-income instruments, all earmarked for future BTC acquisitions. Despite reporting ongoing losses, investor sentiment remains optimistic. Strategy continues to be the largest corporate holder of BTC, with its holdings representing nearly 3% of Bitcoin’s maximum supply. At current market prices around $94,000, the company’s bitcoin assets are valued at over $52 billion. Related Reading: Analyst Says $2 XRP Price Is Low As It Still Isn’t “Activated” This recent purchase comes amid a backdrop of strong institutional demand for BTC, particularly through regulated investment vehicles. Notably, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) has experienced significant inflows in the past two weeks, reflecting growing interest from institutional investors. However, despite the positive outlook on its BTC strategy, Strategy’s shares were down 2.7% in pre-market trading on Monday, following a gain of over 3% last Thursday. Bitcoin, on the other hand, is trading at $94,596, a slight decrease of 0.2% in the 24-hour time frame, and gains of up to 13% in the monthly period for the market’s largest cryptocurrency. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
The legendary investor, at one time the richest man on the planet, once called bitcoin “rat poison.” Buffett Exits CEO Role at Berkshire Hathaway, Successor Named Efficient market theory posits that it’s impossible to consistently beat the market, but Warren Buffett, CEO of holding company Berkshire Hathaway, may be a rare exception to that rule,
BNB, the native token of Binance’s BNB Chain, is rapidly moving into the institutional spotlight. In two separate but closely timed developments, asset manager VanEck has filed with US regulators to launch the country’s first BNB-based exchange-traded fund, while Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao has recommended that Kyrgyzstan use BNB and Bitcoin as the foundation of its national cryptocurrency reserves. VanEck Files First-Ever BNB ETF Application in the US as Crypto ETF Race Heats Up According to a newly published S-1 registration statement , the proposed VanEck BNB ETF is structured to directly hold spot BNB tokens and may periodically stake a portion of its assets through trusted staking providers. If approved, this fund would become the first ETF in the US to offer exposure to the BNB token — a digital asset with a market capitalization of approximately $84 billion and a staking yield near 2.5%, according to StakingRewards.com. BNB, initially launched to support trading fee discounts on the Binance exchange, has since evolved into a key component of the BNB Chain ecosystem — a leading smart contract platform. BNB Chain is among the most popular blockchain networks (Source: DeFILlama ) With over $6 billion in total value locked (TVL) as of early May, according to DeFiLlama, BNB Chain ranks among the top blockchain networks globally. It powers a wide range of decentralized applications, including DeFi platforms, games, and NFT marketplaces. The VanEck proposal comes at a critical time for Binance and its ecosystem. Despite regulatory headwinds in the US and abroad, Binance continues to maintain its position as one of the largest global crypto exchanges. The potential listing of a BNB ETF in the United States could serve as a symbolic turning point in the token’s institutional legitimacy. Riding the Bitcoin ETF Wave VanEck’s filing also reflects a broader momentum shift in the crypto ETF landscape, particularly in the wake of the successful launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs last year. Since their approval in January 2024, spot Bitcoin ETFs have attracted more than $40 billion in cumulative inflows, according to data from Farside Investors . Total inflows for US spot Bitcoin ETFs (Source: Farside Investors) Speaking at the recent Token2049 conference in Dubai, Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao said he expects this ETF-driven enthusiasm to spread beyond Bitcoin. “This cycle so far has been the ETFs. And it’s almost all Bitcoin,” CZ said. “Ether hasn’t had as much success, but Bitcoin’s success will spill over to the others eventually.” That “spillover” appears to be in full swing, with a growing list of asset managers seeking SEC approval for ETFs that track a wide variety of cryptocurrencies — including Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and now BNB. VanEck’s BNB filing is just the latest in a series of moves by asset managers to gain a foothold in the altcoin ETF market. Over the past few months, VanEck has also submitted applications for ETFs based on Solana (SOL) and Avalanche (AVAX), both prominent Layer-1 blockchains. Meanwhile, other firms have taken bolder steps, floating ETF concepts tied to meme coins like Dogecoin (DOGE), capitalizing on the speculative energy in the crypto market during the 2025 bull run. The SEC, under increased pressure to modernize its approach to digital assets, has formally acknowledged dozens of these filings since Jan. 20, when President Donald Trump returned to office. The Trump administration has so far signaled more openness toward crypto-related financial products, though the SEC's ultimate stance on altcoin-based ETFs remains uncertain. Staking Could Add a Yield Component to ETFs An interesting detail in the VanEck BNB ETF filing is its potential to stake a portion of its BNB holdings. Unlike traditional ETFs, crypto staking provides an opportunity for funds to generate yield while maintaining exposure to the underlying asset. This could enhance the fund’s appeal to yield-seeking investors in a high-inflation environment and further differentiate it from Bitcoin and Ethereum-based ETFs, which do not yet widely integrate staking. As of May 5, BNB staking yields around 2.5% annually, providing a modest but consistent reward to long-term holders. BNB price chart (Source: CoinMarketCap ) While the VanEck BNB ETF still faces a potentially lengthy regulatory review process, its filing marks a new chapter in the US crypto ETF narrative. Institutional interest is clearly growing beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, and the door now appears open — at least slightly — for altcoin ETFs to follow the same path toward approval. If the SEC gives the green light, the VanEck BNB ETF could act as a bellwether for other altcoin ETFs and help usher in a new wave of digital asset investment products designed specifically for mainstream markets. CZ Proposes Bitcoin and BNB for Kyrgyzstan's National Crypto Reserve as Country Pushes Ahead with Web3 Ambitions The proposal follows a string of developments that suggest Kyrgyzstan is positioning itself as a forward-thinking crypto hub in Central Asia. From launching a national crypto payments platform to piloting a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the Kyrgyz government appears to be embracing digital assets as part of a broader financial modernization strategy. In a post shared on X, CZ confirmed he had advised Kyrgyzstan’s government to accumulate Bitcoin and BNB as part of its reserve strategy. “Start with the strongest,” CZ wrote, suggesting that Bitcoin’s status as the leading decentralized asset and BNB’s connection to one of the world’s largest blockchain networks make them ideal candidates for foundational crypto reserves. Zhao’s influence in the crypto world cannot be understated. According to Forbes, he holds approximately 94 million BNB tokens — over 64% of the total circulating supply — valued at around $55 billion at current prices. While he no longer leads Binance, CZ remains a powerful figure in shaping global crypto policy, and his endorsement could carry significant weight for emerging economies looking to integrate digital assets into their financial systems. CZ’s proposal comes shortly after Binance signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kyrgyzstan’s National Investment Agency (NIA) to introduce Binance Pay — the exchange’s crypto payment platform — to the country. The partnership aims to allow both residents and visitors to conduct transactions using cryptocurrencies, and it marks a significant step toward real-world crypto adoption. In addition to the payments initiative, Binance Academy is working alongside Kyrgyz institutions to provide blockchain education and help establish a skilled local workforce capable of supporting the country’s growing digital asset ecosystem. Binance CEO Richard Teng also revealed in a Financial Times interview that the exchange has been advising various nations on the formation of crypto reserves. Kyrgyzstan appears to be among the first to act on that advice. Government Embraces Web3 Future The Kyrgyz government has shown a strong willingness to integrate digital assets into its national strategy. On April 17, President Sadyr Zhaparov signed into law a framework enabling the country’s central bank to pilot a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Under the new legislation, the digital version of the Kyrgyzstani som has been granted legal tender status, putting the country on a short list of nations ready to test government-backed digital currencies in the real economy. The pilot program aims to improve financial inclusion, modernize monetary infrastructure, and reduce dependency on foreign intermediaries in domestic transactions. Kyrgyzstan’s ambitions don’t end there. The country reportedly plans to launch a gold-backed stablecoin called the “Gold Dollar” (USDKG), pegged to the US dollar but backed by $500 million worth of gold reserves held by the Ministry of Finance. If confirmed, the stablecoin would act as a hybrid between traditional commodity backing and modern digital finance — a concept that could appeal to countries seeking to hedge against inflation and dollar volatility. Regional and Global Implications CZ’s advisory role in Kyrgyzstan is part of a growing trend of crypto leaders acting as informal diplomats for blockchain adoption. He previously disclosed that he had been officially and unofficially advising governments on regulatory and technological frameworks for the crypto sector. In April, similar news emerged from Pakistan, where Zhao was reportedly appointed to advise on digital asset policies. If Kyrgyzstan follows through on building national crypto reserves and launching a gold-backed stablecoin, it could set a precedent for other nations in Central Asia and beyond. By combining decentralized digital assets like Bitcoin with sovereign-backed instruments such as stablecoins and CBDCs, the country may be laying the groundwork for a unique hybrid monetary system. Changpeng Zhao’s proposal to use Bitcoin and BNB as the foundation of Kyrgyzstan’s national crypto reserve shows the rapid evolution of global finance. Backed by Binance’s ongoing educational and infrastructure initiatives in the country, Kyrgyzstan is emerging as a surprising but determined player in the race toward blockchain integration at the national level. With a CBDC pilot underway, a potential gold-backed stablecoin in development, and direct collaboration with major industry leaders, Kyrgyzstan’s crypto experiment is one to watch closely in the months and years to come.
Recent data shared by cryptocurrency analysis platform Nansen has revealed user mobility on public blockchains. According to the 7-day active address count, Solana continues to lead by a wide margin with over 24 million addresses, followed by Tron, Base, BNB Chain and Aptos. Here are the blockchains and numbers with the most active addresses in the last 7 days: Solana – 24,215,077 Tron – 5,851,957 Base – 5,420,215 BNB Chain – 5,243,621 Aptos – 4,889,094 Ethereum – 1,874,615 Polygon – 1,837,339 Sei v2 – 1,088,095 Arbitrum – 1,032,622 Ronin – 532,290 Optimism – 493,944 Sonic – 360,666 Unichain – 327,753 Gravity – 327,048 Berachain – 232,190 Nearby – 717,249 Cell – 699,193 Stellar – 148,323 Blast – 26,450 Victory – 80,987 It is noteworthy that the network of Ethereum, the world's largest altcoin, is not the network with the most active addresses. The reason for this is that the ETH network is slow and expensive. On the other hand, layer-2 networks, which can be explained as performing transactions on an external network and finalizing them on the Ethereum network, maintain their popularity. These networks include Base, Arbitrum and Optimism. Related News: Will Success Finally Come This Time? New Bill to Regulate Cryptocurrencies in the US Has Been Unveiled – It Was Rejected Last Year, Here Are the Details The reason for the popularity of Tron, which ranks second, is that most of the transactions of USDT, the world's largest stablecoin, take place on the Tron network. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Top Altcoin Networks Used in the Last Week Revealed – Ethereum in Sixth Place – Here’s the Surprising List
The post Florida Drops Bitcoin Reserve Plans appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News Florida’s proposed Bitcoin Reserve Bills, HB 487 and SB 550, have officially failed. The state legislature ended its 2025 session on May 2 without taking a vote on either measure. As a result, both bills were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from further consideration. The proposals aimed to establish a Bitcoin reserve for the state, but they didn’t gain enough traction to move forward. With the session closed, any similar effort would need to be reintroduced in a future session.
Ethereum is set to undergo a transformative upgrade with the upcoming Pectra Upgrade, which will enhance its core protocol and improve user experience. This significant update merges execution and consensus
Ripple has ditched the quarterly format for its XRP markets report
A Russian-Israeli citizen allegedly involved in the $190 million Nomad bridge hack will soon be extradited to the US after he was reportedly arrested at an Israeli airport while boarding a flight to Russia. Alexander Gurevich will be investigated for his alleged involvement in several “computer crimes,” including laundering millions of dollars and transferring stolen property allegedly connected to the Nomad Bridge hack in 2022, The Jerusalem Post reported on May 5. Gurevich returned to Israel from an overseas trip on April 19 but was ordered to appear before the Jerusalem District Court for an extradition hearing soon after, according to the report. On April 29, Gurevich changed his name in Israel’s Population Registry to “Alexander Block” and received a passport under that name at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport the next day. He was arrested at the same airport two days later, on May 1, while waiting to board a flight to Russia. Gurevich allegedly identified a vulnerability in the Nomad bridge, which he exploited and stole roughly $2.89 million worth of tokens from in August 2022. Dozens of copycat hackers discovered and capitalized on the security vulnerability soon after, leading to a total loss of $190 million . Gurevich allegedly reached out to a Nomad executive on Telegram Prosecutors allege that shortly after the hack, Gurevich messaged Nomad’s chief technology officer, James Prestwich, on Telegram using a fake identity, admitting that he had been “amateurishly” seeking a crypto protocol to exploit. He allegedly apologized for “the trouble he caused Prestwich and his team” and voluntarily transferred about $162,000 into a recovery wallet the company had set up. Prestwich told Gurevich that Nomad would pay him 10% of the value of the assets he had stolen, to which Gurevich responded that he would consult his lawyer. However, Nomad never heard back from him after that. Alleged messages between Gurevich and Nomad’s James Prestwich were shared on X by Israel-based Walla News journalist Yoav Itiel. Source: Yoav Itiel At some point during the negotiations, Gurevich demanded a reward of $500,000 for identifying the vulnerability. Related: Do Kwon is in US custody after extradition battle US federal authorities filed an eight-count indictment against Gurevich in the Northern District of California on Aug. 16, 2023, in addition to obtaining a warrant for his arrest. California is where the team behind the Nomad bridge is based. The US submitted a formal extradition request in December 2024, the Post noted. The money laundering charges that Gurevich faces carry a maximum of 20 years, significantly harsher than what he would face in Israel. Gurevich is believed to have arrived in Israel a few days before the $190 million exploit occurred, prompting Israeli officials to believe he carried out the attack while in Israel. Magazine: Financial nihilism in crypto is over — It’s time to dream big again
The quest for state-level digital asset reserves encounters significant hurdles as states grapple with legislative failures, notably among Bitcoin supporters. Despite a rising wave of interest in digital assets, many
The push for state-level digital asset reserves is hitting resistance nationally, despite early-year optimism among Bitcoin advocates.