Block | Crypto

Crypto stocks slid as macro fears, government shutdown jitters and lingering fallout from October's $19 billion liquidation hit investor sentiment. Shares of crypto-focused companies have tumbled this week, capping a bruising stretch for the digital asset sector marked by renewed macroeconomic fears and lingering fallout from October’s liquidity crunch and mixed corporate earnings. Coinbase (COIN), Block Inc. (XYZ) and Robinhood (HOOD) have fallen 11% to 14% this week, according to Google Finance data, erasing recent gains and underscoring the fragile sentiment surrounding crypto-linked equities. On Oct. 30, Coinbase reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue as it advanced its “Everything Exchange” initiative, aimed at expanding the volume and diversity of tradable assets on its platform. Yet, despite the upbeat results, shares failed to maintain momentum amid broader market pressures and declining risk appetite. Read more

Crypto stocks slid as macro fears, government shutdown jitters and lingering fallout from October's $19 billion liquidation hit investor sentiment. Shares of crypto-focused companies have tumbled this week, capping a bruising stretch for the digital asset sector marked by renewed macroeconomic fears and lingering fallout from October’s liquidity crunch and mixed corporate earnings. Coinbase (COIN), Block Inc. (XYZ) and Robinhood (HOOD) have fallen 11% to 14% this week, according to Google Finance data, erasing recent gains and underscoring the fragile sentiment surrounding crypto-linked equities. On Oct. 30, Coinbase reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue as it advanced its “Everything Exchange” initiative, aimed at expanding the volume and diversity of tradable assets on its platform. Yet, despite the upbeat results, shares failed to maintain momentum amid broader market pressures and declining risk appetite. Read more

Block’s Proto Rig and Proto Fleet aim to reduce upgrade costs and extend rig lifespans, giving miners a potential edge in a capital-intensive, increasingly AI-integrated industry. Bitcoin-focused fintech company Block Inc. has introduced a new cryptocurrency mining system designed to extend the lifespan of mining rigs and lower operational costs — a potential boost for miners facing steep capital expenditures to maintain facilities. At the center of the launch is Proto Rig, a modular system that replaces the traditional three-to-five-year mining rig life cycle with hardware built to last a decade or more, Block announced Thursday. Instead of discarding entire units, miners can swap out individual hashboards as technology improves, potentially cutting upgrade costs by up to 20% per cycle. Read more

Block joined the S&P 500 on July 23, replacing Hess after the oil producer’s $54 billion acquisition by Chevron, a reshuffle that sent Block’s stock up 10.7% from the July 18 open of $72.01 to $79.69 by press time.  The company announced the addition on July 18, prompting investors to position ahead of index-tracking funds […] The post Block joins S&P 500, becomes third Bitcoin holding firm in the index appeared first on CryptoSlate.

Block’s inclusion in the S&P 500 could indirectly increase equity investors' exposure to Bitcoin and the asset’s mainstream acceptance. Jack Dorsey's technology company Block joined the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) index on Wednesday, marking the third public company with Bitcoin holdings to join the global benchmark. Block holds 8,584 Bitcoin (BTC) worth approximately $1 billion, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET. That stash makes Block the 13th-largest corporate holder of BTC. The company's shares on the NYSE exchange have jumped nearly 14% over the past five days since the company announced it would join the S&P 500. Read more

Block’s inclusion in the S&P 500 comes just two months after crypto exchange Coinbase made history as the first cryptocurrency firm to join the index. Jack Dorsey’s financial services company, Block, Inc., surged almost 9% in after-hours trading on Friday following the news that it will be added to the S&P 500, the benchmark index of the 500 largest US companies by market capitalization. Block will replace US energy company Hess Corp on the S&P 500 before trading commences on Wednesday, according to a statement on Friday. The announcement triggered a strong reaction from the Bitcoin (BTC) community, given the firm’s advocacy for Bitcoin and its strategy for holding Bitcoin as part of its treasury. The most recent data from Bitbo shows that Block holds 8,584 Bitcoin. Crypto commentary account WiseSummit said in a post on Friday, “This is not just a headline. It is trillions in passive flows inching closer to Bitcoin.” Meanwhile, crypto trader cryptothedoggy said, “Crypto roots + Fintech firepower = Wall Street...