9 Aug 2025, 22:00

Trump-backed WLFI aims for Nasdaq debut with $1.5B token treasury

The Trump-linked project is courting institutional money while rewarding DeFi traders in the background.

9 Aug 2025, 21:30

GameStop has not bought Bitcoin since April, and Ryan Cohen unfollowed major Bitcoin accounts on X

GameStop has stopped buying Bitcoin since April. Moreover, X users noticed that Ryan Cohen, founder of GameStop, unfollowed Bitcoin accounts such as Bitcoin Magazine. This has caught the attention of users. They shared screenshots showing the change, and the discussion quickly spread on social media. Some investors think this could mean GameStop is slowing its Bitcoin push. Others believe the company is just taking a break. A Reddit user shared the news and said, “Last time he [Ryan Cohen] unfollowed bitcoin was around when they made the purchase? What is up with the unfollows ?” RYAN COHEN UNFOLLOWS BITCOIN MAGAZINE 👀 BACK TO JUST GAMESTOP $GME ONLY pic.twitter.com/FyrlbInZ0Z — Salvatore Linteum (@PhantomBlack699) August 7, 2025 But Cohen didn’t just unfollow Bitcoin Magazine on X. He also unfollowed The Bitcoin Conference account, which is run by David Bailey, the founder of Bitcoin Magazine. The account is linked to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who were keynote speakers at the last conference. Bitcoiners are unhappy with Cohen. Some called him “is all talk no action,” compared to Saylor for example. Another person described GameStop as “A non-Bitcoin company with a non-Bitcoin CEO buying Bitcoin on behalf of non-Bitcoin shareholders.” Others named him “Rugpull Ryan.” GameStop bought BTC once In March 2025, GameStop updated its investment policy to include Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. The company then completed a private offering of $1.5 billion in convertible senior notes, and this included a $200 million “greenshoe” option that was fully exercised. After fees, the net proceeds came to about $1.48 billion. Two months later, the company made its first and only purchase. It bought 4,710 BTC, worth about $549.4 million today, and it has not announced any other Bitcoin buys since then. This is only one-third of the amount it had planned to purchase, and it has been months since the last acquisition. In June 2025, GameStop raised up to $2.7 billion through a convertible notes offering. This money could be used for more Bitcoin purchases. Despite having the funds, the company has not added to its holdings. GameStop reported having about $6.38 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. Yet it still hasn’t bought the Bitcoin it promised back in April. Many Bitcoiners are disappointed by this delay. Some are even infuriated that GameStop is holding so much cash instead of following through on its plans. GME is trading at $22.27 and its market cap is about $10 billion. The stock has dropped sharply, sitting about 74% below its all-time high from the meme-stock frenzy in January 2021. Many longtime holders are frustrated by the slide, and they’re watching to see if GameStop’s move into Bitcoin can help turn things around. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.

9 Aug 2025, 21:10

JPMorgan sees Trump’s nomination of Stephen Miran to the Fed board as a problem

Donald Trump’s pick of Stephen Miran for Federal Reserve governor is attracting attention beyond his image as someone who favors low interest rates. JPMorgan’s analysts think that Trump choosing Miran might be part of a bigger plan to change the Federal Reserve Act, the law that defines the Fed’s powers, as reported by Fortune. According to a report by Fortune , this could reduce the Fed’s ability to make decisions without political interference. On Thursday, Trump named Miran , who currently chairs the White House Council of Economic Advisers, to fill the Fed board seat vacated by Adriana Kugler. Kugler stepped down before her term was set to end in January, and as Cryptopolitan predicted earlier, Trump would use this opportunity to reshape the Fed . Miran is best known for crafting a proposal before joining the administration, nicknamed the “Mar-a-Lago Accord,” aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit. But it is his 2024 co-authored paper proposing sweeping reforms to the Fed that is now getting renewed attention. In a research note Friday, JPMorgan’s chief economist Bruce Kasman and his team outlined the paper’s key recommendations. These include granting the U.S. president the authority to fire Federal Reserve board members and regional bank presidents at will, giving Congress control of the Fed’s budget, and transferring the Fed’s oversight of banks and markets to the Treasury Department. “There is little doubt that the consequence of these reforms would be to materially increase the influence of the president over U.S. monetary and regulatory policy,” the analysts wrote. Such measures would require congressional approval, and JPMorgan noted there is no clear sign lawmakers are ready to back such far-reaching changes. Still, Miran will join the Fed’s board with a detailed 2024 reform agenda. His paper accused the central bank of “groupthink” and expanding beyond its original purpose, claiming that his proposed changes would actually safeguard its independence, a view JPMorgan disputes. “The main threat to the Fed independence is not politically motivated turnover shifting the outcome of votes,” the analysts said. “Rather, the appointment fuels an existential threat as the administration looks likely to take aim at the Federal Reserve Act to permanently alter U.S. monetary and regulatory authority.” A Trump administration official said that statements made by appointees before entering the administration do not reflect official policy positions. Concerns are growing over Congress’s power to reshape the Federal Reserve Congress has the legal authority to change the Fed’s mission and powers. Last month, Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel told CNBC that Chair Jerome Powell might need to resign if he wants to protect the central bank’s long-term independence. Siegel warned that if the economy falters, Trump could make Powell a “perfect scapegoat” and push Congress to grant the White House more control over the Fed. He noted that the Federal Reserve, created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, is not mentioned in the Constitution and has had its powers altered by Congress multiple times. Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican of Ohio, indicated last week that he is open to revising the Federal Reserve Act. His targets include the interest the Fed pays on bank reserves and its dual mandate. However, Moreno also said he supports the concept of central bank independence. JPMorgan analysts said the Fed still enjoys enough backing in the Senate to make major legislative changes difficult, given the 60-vote threshold needed to bypass a filibuster. Even so, the bank’s analysts believe the Fed will treat the threat to its independence seriously and may seek to defend it by making some concessions to the White House and Congress. A tilt toward easier monetary policy could happen under persistent calls from the White House to lower interest rates. Rates have stayed steady as the Fed monitors inflation risks, particularly from Trump’s tariffs. Don’t just read crypto news. Understand it. Subscribe to our newsletter. It's free .

9 Aug 2025, 17:15

UK Bitcoin Treasury Companies on The Rise, The Current Leaders in Focus

The United Kingdom, while slow to join the race, has some rising players with notable amounts of Bitcoin in their vaults. A new financial instrument has also emerged as an aftereffect, offering a novel, two-way method of fundraising and accumulation. The Smarter Web Company The technology firm specializing in web design and online marketing, listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange (SWC), has announced the launch of a new financial product called “Smarter Convert”, developed in partnership with TOBAM. This will be an interest-free capital-raising initiative designed as a convertible bond, denominated in Bitcoin. This instrument has been completely subscribed (bought out) by TOBAM, an asset management company that has been engaged with the leading digital asset since 2016, for $21 million. Smarter Convert’s structure is meant to align incentives for stakeholders while also providing downside protection. The asset manager used three of its funds for the purchase, and it projects that future bonds could be issued to other investors, including TOBAM, at future market prices using the same method. The “Reference Share Price” for the initial tranche of Smarter Convert is set to £1.95, which is the closing price of the company’s stock as of yesterday. Some key terms for the product include: Conversion Share Price: Equity by investors can be converted at a 5% premium to the Reference Share Price, with a 1.3288 GBP/USD conversion rate Downside Protection: If bonds are not converted within 1 year, the firm will repay 98% of the value to investors This instrument provides the opportunity to raise funds at a premium to current market prices, while also enabling the enterprise to increase its BTC holdings. However, the maximum amount attainable via this method will be capped at around 30% of the existing unburdened stash. The Smarter Web Company has a Bitcoin balance of 2,050 coins, currently valued at $233.31 million, with an average purchasing cost of $110,040. They joined the treasury race around the end of April this year, and are positioned in 27th place on the BitcoinTreasuries site. Satsuma Technology PLC The London Stock Exchange-listed (SATS.L) AI-focused software development company, which recently adopted a treasury strategy, has completed its second loan note capital raise, reaching £163.7M ($217.6 million), which is over 63% of its minimum target of £100 million ($133M). The loan notes obtained from the fundraiser will be converted into ordinary shares of £0.001, subject to shareholder approval and the issuance of a prospectus by the company. Renowned global fund managers, exchanges, and various institutions, including Kraken, Pantera Capital, DCG, and Borderless Capital, among others, backed the funding, which netted the company 1,097 BTC for which they paid £96.8M ($128 million) in cash. Some of the proceeds from the raise will be used to expand current operations, further solidifying their focus on AI and DeFi. At the same time, the remainder will be allocated to bolster the Bitcoin coffers. The company embarked on its treasury journey in mid-July and already holds 1,126 bitcoins, currently valued at $128.54 million, with an average purchase price of $115,149 per coin, according to the most recent data obtained from BitcoinTreasures. They are currently ranked 35th on the site’s leaderboard. The post UK Bitcoin Treasury Companies on The Rise, The Current Leaders in Focus appeared first on CryptoPotato .

9 Aug 2025, 16:01

Corporate Interest in XRP To Soar After Ripple Lawsuit Ends

Ripple’s victory in its long legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has boosted corporate interest in XRP. Several public companies are now reporting new holdings in cryptocurrency. This trend suggests some businesses may be rethinking their treasury strategies to include digital assets. Regulatory Clarity Drives Market Activity Pro-XRP lawyer Bill Morgan has identified multiple firms adding XRP to their balance sheets in recent filings. Recent SEC filings indicate that Quantum Biopharma Ltd has expanded its cryptocurrency portfolio. The company, which previously held Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Solana, now also holds XRP and Ethereum (ETH). Worksport Ltd began its crypto strategy in December 2024 as a hedge against inflation. The company has increased its Bitcoin holdings and reported a 15% gain on its XRP investments. Flora Growth Corp has included XRP alongside Solana and Ethereum in its corporate assets. Hyperscale Data Inc. plans to disclose its crypto portfolio after announcing its subsidiary’s intent to purchase $10 million worth of XRP. Morgan noted that these four companies are part of a broader and growing trend of public firms integrating XRP into their treasuries. This move comes as Ripple and the SEC recently reached a settlement, ending years of legal uncertainty surrounding XRP. The resolution is considered a significant milestone for the crypto industry, providing greater clarity for institutional adoption. Broader Market Developments Other companies are exploring alternative ways to gain exposure to Ripple’s ecosystem. Nasdaq-listed VivoPower recently acquired Ripple shares as part of its treasury diversification strategy. Speculation about a BlackRock-backed Ripple ETF lit up the market in recent weeks, but the asset management giant has dismissed the idea. Still, prediction markets on Polymarket show high confidence in eventual approval, with odds swinging between 62% and 86% in just two days, currently sitting at 76%. XRP’s price has mirrored the excitement, surging to $3.50 after the lawsuit news before cooling slightly to $3.32, at the time of writing. XRP Could Mirror Ethereum’s Rise in Corporate Adoption Analysts suggest that institutional demand could increase further as more companies consider XRP for their reserves. Ethereum began appearing in company treasuries slowly, with early adopters holding it alongside Bitcoin. Over time, more companies started adding Ethereum, using it for smart contracts, decentralized finance (DeFi), and as a long-term investment. The first signs of the coin’s adoption show a similar pace, suggesting it could follow the same path if market conditions and regulations remain supportive. The post Corporate Interest in XRP To Soar After Ripple Lawsuit Ends appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .

9 Aug 2025, 15:03

Historic Moment: A Company Listed in the US for the First Time Announces It Will Purchase a Large Amount of Ripple (XRP) Shares

VivoPower International announced it will acquire shares of Ripple Labs to bolster its XRP-focused digital asset treasury strategy. Following the news, the company's shares rose 10% in morning trading. Following a nearly two-month due diligence process, VivoPower has allocated funding to acquire an initial $100 million in Ripple shares held in the private equity market. In addition to these investments, the company will continue to directly purchase and hold XRP tokens. Related News: Another Positive Development for XRP in the Ripple-SEC Case - SEC Withdraws One Claim After Another With this move, VivoPower will become the first and only publicly traded company in the United States to offer its shareholders direct access to both Ripple shares and XRP coins. According to the company's statement, for every $10 million worth of Ripple shares purchased, VivoPower (VVPR) shareholders are expected to receive an increase in value of approximately $5.15 per share. Ripple Labs, backed by investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Google Ventures, owns 41 billion XRP, equivalent to approximately 41% of all XRP coins in circulation. *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Historic Moment: A Company Listed in the US for the First Time Announces It Will Purchase a Large Amount of Ripple (XRP) Shares