Wealthy Bitcoin holders are moving billions into ETFs like BlackRock’s IBIT as tax benefits and SEC rule changes drive a shift away from self-custody. Bitcoin’s self-custody era may be ending as wealthy holders increasingly transfer assets into regulated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) amid tax incentives and improving institutional infrastructure. In a Wednesday post on X, Martin Hiesboeck, head of blockchain and crypto research at crypto financial services platform Uphold, said the movement of large Bitcoin (BTC) wallets into ETFs marks the first significant decline in self-custodied BTC in more than 15 years. “Another nail in the coffin of the original crypto spirit,” he wrote, noting that the “not your keys, not your coins” ethos that once defined the asset is giving way to a more traditional approach centered on compliance and financial optimization. Read more
Hayes previously predicted that Bitcoin’s price would soar to $250,000 when the Bank of Japan pivoted to quantitative easing measures. Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, announced a package of economic stimulus measures on Tuesday to ease the impact of inflation on households. The move, some crypto observers said, may drive more capital into Bitcoin. The stimulus measures include subsidies for electricity and gas charges, as well as regional grants to ease price pressure and encourage small to medium-sized businesses to raise wages. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes viewed the development as a precursor to more fiat money printing by Japan’s central bank, which may catalyze Bitcoin’s (BTC) rise to $1 million. Read more
A new BGA report revealed that, unlike volatile play-to-earn tokens, stablecoins offer predictability, giving game studios a steadier path to long-term growth. Stablecoins are taking on a new role in the $350-billion global gaming market, according to a new report published by the Blockchain Gaming Alliance (BGA). The BGA report argued that fiat-pegged digital assets, once viewed as only payment tools or decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity, are now becoming the unseen financial infrastructure that powers how developers pay creators, price items and retain players. The report said that stablecoins like USDt (USDT) or USDC (USDC) offer economic stability that speculative tokens lack. By eliminating volatility from in-game economies, they enable predictability, faster payouts and seamless asset exchange across platforms. Read more
The acquisition marks FalconX’s third major deal of 2025, following its purchases of crypto derivatives platform Arbelos Markets and a majority stake in Monarq. Crypto prime broker FalconX has agreed to acquire 21Shares, the world’s largest issuer of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs). By joining forces, FalconX and 21Shares aim to develop new regulated digital asset investment products that appeal to both institutional and retail investors, the company said in an announcement shared with Cointelegraph. “21Shares has built one of the most trusted and innovative product platforms in digital assets,” said Raghu Yarlagadda, CEO of FalconX. “We’re witnessing a powerful convergence between digital assets and traditional financial markets, as crypto ETPs open new channels for investor participation through regulated, familiar structures.” Read more
Bitcoin’s valuation indicator showed BTC entering an “undervaluation phase” and a potential local bottom, pointing to a near-term price rebound. Key takeaways: Bitcoin's MVRV ratio dropping below its 365-day average signals a local bottom, historically preceding big price rallies. Capital rotation from gold could fuel the Bitcoin rebound, according to analysts. Read more