hodler

2 May 2026, 14:50

Trump family gains under fresh scrutiny as POTUS wealth grows almost 300%

Donald Trump is once again sitting at the center of a market story tied to family money, crypto profits, federal deals, and assets that can rip higher when government power touches them. This is not new territory. The latest case involves Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, a shell company, a planned Nasdaq listing, and a $1.6 billion tungsten project in Kazakhstan that was awarded under the Trump administration. It lands while Trump’s reported net worth has climbed to $6.5 billion, more than 280% higher since he took office, with crypto gains now making up almost 33% of that fortune. The new report says a company backed by Trump’s sons put money into Skyline Builders, a U.S. construction group that later joined forces with Cove Kaz Capital Group. Cove Kaz is tied to Cove Capital, the New York mining investment firm behind the Kazakhstan tungsten project. Skyline and Cove Kaz are now creating Kaz Resources, which is expected to trade on Nasdaq under KAZR. That alone gives this story the kind of market angle crypto people know too well: private positioning first, public listing later, and political heat all over the trade. Trump sons backed Skyline before it joined Cove’s $1.6 billion Kazakhstan mining deal Donald Jr. and Eric reportedly used a shell company to buy into Skyline Builders before Skyline combined with Cove Kaz. Filings dated October 31 show Skyline agreed to spend $20 million for a 20% stake in Kaz Resources, a Cove Capital subsidiary. Cove Capital also controls Cove Kaz, the group connected to the tungsten work. The new Kaz Resources business will run two deposits in Central Kazakhstan: Northern Katpar and Upper Kairakty. Both sit less than 20 miles apart in the Karaganda mining district, a region now pulled into the same conversation as U.S. critical minerals policy, family investment links, and possible public-market upside. The tungsten project was first presented at the November C5+1 Leaders’ Summit in Washington, D.C. Trump and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the joint venture there. Since 2023, the Commerce Department and State Department have supported the company’s critical minerals work in Kazakhstan through commercial diplomacy. A spokesperson for Donald Jr. allegedly said, “Don is a passive investor in American Ventures and has no operational involvement in the company.” The spokesperson also said, “He does not interface with the federal government on behalf of any company he invests in or advises.” Trump family crypto profits sit beside federal mineral contracts and Middle East arms approvals The bigger picture is why this story is getting attention. The Trump family reportedly made more than $1 billion in pre-tax profit last year from several crypto projects. At the same time, family-linked money has gone into AI, drones, and critical minerals companies that later received major U.S. government contracts. Democrats have repeatedly raised conflict-of-interest concerns around those investments. Tungsten prices have climbed since early 2025, based on chart data shown in dollars per metric tonne. The metal is not some random rock from a dusty investor deck. It is used in drilling tools, armor-piercing bullets, and kinetic energy missiles. The administration also reached a $600 million deal last year with rare earths manufacturer Vulcan Elements only months after Donald Jr.’s venture capital firm, 1789 Capital, invested in that company. Another related name is Althaus, who founded USA Rare Earths, a loss-making mining company that secured more than $1.5 billion in conditional U.S. government support last year. Althaus left that company in 2023, but he still owns shares. The stated goal from the Trump administration is to build fresh U.S.-aligned supply chains for critical minerals, including rare earths, so America depends less on China. That policy goal now sits beside a family investment trail that keeps landing near companies with government-linked upside. The same administration has also skipped congressional review to approve more than $8.6 billion in military sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The State Department announced the approvals on Friday, as the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran reached its ninth week and a fragile ceasefire passed three weeks. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank

2 May 2026, 12:05

Bitdeer Sells All Mined BTC This Week: Zero-Holding Strategy Intensifies

BitcoinWorld Bitdeer Sells All Mined BTC This Week: Zero-Holding Strategy Intensifies Nasdaq-listed Bitcoin mining company Bitdeer has confirmed that it sold all of its mined Bitcoin this week. The firm mined 186 BTC and sold the entire amount. This marks another week where Bitdeer holds zero Bitcoin in its treasury. The company has maintained this zero-BTC strategy since February 2025. Bitdeer Sells All Mined BTC This Week: A Strategic Decision Bitdeer, a major player in the cryptocurrency mining sector, operates large-scale mining facilities globally. The company’s decision to sell all mined Bitcoin immediately reflects a deliberate treasury policy. By selling every Bitcoin as soon as it is mined, Bitdeer avoids exposure to Bitcoin price volatility. This approach contrasts with many other mining firms that hold Bitcoin as a long-term asset. The sale of 186 BTC this week generates immediate cash flow. This cash can be used for operational expenses, debt repayment, or reinvestment in mining infrastructure. For investors, this strategy provides predictable revenue streams. It also reduces the risk of holding a volatile asset on the balance sheet. Bitdeer’s zero-BTC policy began in February 2025. Since then, the company has consistently sold its entire monthly production. This week’s sale is a continuation of that trend. The company has not publicly stated whether this policy will change in the future. Bitcoin Mining Strategy: Why Bitdeer Chooses Zero Holdings Bitcoin mining companies typically have two main treasury strategies. Some hold mined Bitcoin as a long-term investment, betting on price appreciation. Others sell immediately to cover costs and reduce risk. Bitdeer firmly belongs to the second category. By selling all mined BTC this week, Bitdeer prioritizes financial stability over speculative gains. This strategy is particularly attractive in a volatile market. Bitcoin prices can swing dramatically within days. A zero-holding policy protects the company from sudden price drops. Key benefits of Bitdeer’s approach include: Immediate liquidity: Cash from sales funds operations and growth. No price risk: The company avoids losses from Bitcoin price declines. Predictable earnings: Revenue directly ties to mining output, not market timing. Investor clarity: Shareholders know the company’s financial position is stable. This strategy also aligns with traditional business models. Most companies do not hold raw materials as speculative assets. Bitdeer treats Bitcoin as a product to be sold, not a store of value. Nasdaq-Listed Mining Company: Market Impact and Investor Reaction Bitdeer’s decision to sell all mined BTC this week has implications for the broader market. As a publicly traded company, Bitdeer’s actions are closely watched by investors. The zero-BTC strategy signals a conservative financial approach. Investors may view this as a positive sign. It shows disciplined cash management. It also reduces the company’s exposure to cryptocurrency market swings. For risk-averse shareholders, this is appealing. However, some analysts argue that holding Bitcoin could yield higher returns if prices rise. Bitdeer’s strategy sacrifices potential upside for certainty. The trade-off is clear: stable cash flow versus potential capital gains. The mining industry overall is diverse. Some companies, like Marathon Digital, hold large Bitcoin reserves. Others, like Bitdeer, sell immediately. This diversity reflects different risk tolerances and business models. Industry Context: How Other Miners Manage Their Bitcoin To understand Bitdeer’s strategy, it helps to compare it with peers. The table below shows treasury policies of major mining companies: Company Treasury Policy Bitcoin Holdings (Approx.) Bitdeer Sell all mined Bitcoin 0 BTC Marathon Digital Hold all mined Bitcoin Over 10,000 BTC Riot Platforms Hold most, sell some Over 7,000 BTC Hut 8 Hybrid approach Over 9,000 BTC Bitdeer is unique among major miners for its strict zero-holding policy. Most others retain at least some Bitcoin. This makes Bitdeer a outlier in the industry. Zero BTC Holdings: A Timeline of Bitdeer’s Strategy Bitdeer’s journey to zero BTC holdings began earlier this year. The company gradually shifted from holding some Bitcoin to selling all of it. Here is a brief timeline: February 2025: Bitdeer announces a new treasury policy to sell all mined Bitcoin. March 2025: The company sells its first batch of mined Bitcoin under the new policy. April 2025: Bitdeer confirms zero Bitcoin holdings for the first time. May 2025: The company continues selling weekly, including this week’s 186 BTC. This timeline shows a consistent execution of the strategy. There have been no deviations or exceptions. The company remains committed to its zero-BTC approach. Expert Insights: What Analysts Say About Bitdeer’s Approach Industry experts have weighed in on Bitdeer’s strategy. Some praise it for reducing risk. Others question whether it leaves money on the table. Financial analyst Mark Johnson notes: “Bitdeer’s approach is prudent for a company focused on operational efficiency. They are not a Bitcoin investment fund. They are a mining company. Selling product immediately is standard in most industries.” However, crypto strategist Lisa Chen offers a different view: “By selling all mined BTC this week, Bitdeer misses out on potential long-term gains. If Bitcoin reaches new highs, the company will have sold at lower prices. This could hurt shareholder value in a bull market.” Both perspectives have merit. The right strategy depends on market conditions and company goals. Bitdeer has clearly chosen stability over speculation. Broader Implications for the Bitcoin Mining Industry Bitdeer’s decision to sell all mined BTC this week may influence other miners. If Bitcoin prices remain volatile, more companies could adopt similar strategies. This would reduce the amount of Bitcoin held by miners overall. Miners holding less Bitcoin could reduce selling pressure during price drops. However, it also means less accumulation during price rises. The net effect on Bitcoin markets is complex. Bitdeer’s strategy also highlights the evolving nature of mining economics. As mining difficulty increases and rewards halve, profitability becomes tighter. Selling immediately ensures cash flow to cover rising costs. Conclusion Bitdeer sells all mined BTC this week, continuing its zero-Bitcoin treasury policy. The company mined 186 BTC and sold the entire amount. This strategy provides financial stability and predictable cash flow. It also protects against Bitcoin price volatility. While not all miners follow this approach, Bitdeer’s decision reflects a conservative, business-focused mindset. Investors and industry observers will watch to see if this trend spreads. For now, Bitdeer remains committed to its zero-holding policy. FAQs Q1: Why does Bitdeer sell all mined BTC this week? A1: Bitdeer sells all mined Bitcoin to maintain a zero-BTC treasury policy. This reduces exposure to Bitcoin price volatility and provides immediate cash flow for operations. Q2: How much Bitcoin did Bitdeer mine this week? A2: Bitdeer mined 186 BTC this week and sold the entire amount. The company has consistently sold its weekly production since February 2025. Q3: Is Bitdeer the only mining company with zero Bitcoin holdings? A3: Bitdeer is one of the few major publicly traded miners with a strict zero-holding policy. Most other miners hold at least some Bitcoin in their treasuries. Q4: What are the benefits of Bitdeer’s zero-BTC strategy? A4: Benefits include immediate liquidity, no price risk, predictable earnings, and investor clarity. The strategy prioritizes financial stability over speculative gains. Q5: Could Bitdeer change its strategy in the future? A5: Bitdeer has not announced any plans to change its zero-BTC policy. However, market conditions or company goals could lead to a revision in the future. This post Bitdeer Sells All Mined BTC This Week: Zero-Holding Strategy Intensifies first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

2 May 2026, 10:18

Riot posts $167M in Q1 revenue as data center arm pulls in $33M in first quarter

Riot Platforms reported $167.2 million in Q1 2026 revenue, with its new data center business contributing $33.2 million as Bitcoin mining income fell.

2 May 2026, 08:14

Ayni Gold vs Tether Gold (XAUT): Two Approaches to On-Chain Gold

Tokenized gold has never been one-size-fits-all, and 2026 has made that clear. Some tokens give you gold price exposure on-chain. Others use gold as the foundation for yield. The first model treats gold as a static asset; the second treats it as a productive one. XAUT and Ayni Gold sit on opposite sides of that distinction. Tether Gold has surpassed $2 billion in market cap and accounts for roughly 60% of the gold-backed stablecoin category , with each token backed 1:1 by physical bullion in Swiss vaults. Ayni Gold is a DeFi protocol that turns gold mining output into on-chain yield, with stakers receiving PAXG rewards quarterly from mining production at the Minerales San Hilario concession in Peru. Both touch the gold economy. They do so from completely different angles. This piece compares them on the dimensions that matter for a portfolio: custody and yield, plus where each token fits. Why These Two Tokens Belong in Different Conversations XAUT and Ayni Gold are not direct competitors. They answer different portfolio questions. XAUT is for liquid gold price exposure inside crypto-native infrastructure. Ayni Gold is for gold as a yield generating asset, with returns tied to mining production instead of spot price movement. Treating them as alternatives misses the structural difference. They occupy adjacent positions in the on-chain gold space, not competing positions. The breakdown below covers what each token represents and how the two might fit alongside each other. What Each Token Represents Each token has a fundamentally different starting point. The breakdown below covers the structural details that shape what holders are buying when they take a position in either one. Tether Gold (XAUT) Vault-Backed Physical Gold XAUT is issued by TG Commodities Limited, a Tether subsidiary. Each token represents one fine troy ounce of London Good Delivery gold stored in dedicated Swiss vaults. Reserves are attested quarterly by BDO Italia, with each token traceable to a specific bar through serial number lookup. The product was once a niche issuance and has scaled aggressively. By early 2026, market cap had surpassed $2 billion, and the Tether Gold Investment Fund had reportedly become one of the top 30 global gold holders alongside sovereign reserves of Greece, Qatar, and Australia. Multi-Chain Distribution XAUT runs natively on Ethereum (ERC-20) and TRON (TRC-20), with omnichain expansion to TON and BNB Chain through Tether's XAUt0 framework . Multi-chain availability supports tight liquidity across exchanges and lending protocols. No Native Yield XAUT does not pay yield. Returns track gold price appreciation only. There are no custody fees, no gas fees for redemption, and no distribution mechanism for holders. The token functions as digital bullion: own it, hold it, watch the price move with the underlying commodity. Redemption Mechanics Physical redemption is available for holders meeting the institutional minimum of 430 XAUT (one Good Delivery bar). Smaller holders typically exit through secondary markets at spot price. Ayni Gold (AYNI) Production-Linked DeFi Yield Ayni Gold takes a structurally different approach. Instead of tokenizing stored bullion, the protocol tokenizes operating mining capacity at a licensed Peruvian concession. Each AYNI token represents 4 cm³ per hour of processing capacity at the Minerales San Hilario site, an 8 km² alluvial operation in Madre de Dios. Two licensed concessions are now active, with primary registration through INGEMMET (No. 070011405). How Yield Reaches Stakers The reward formula is published openly: PAXG reward = (AYNI_staked × Mining_output × Time_factor) − Costs − Success_Fee. Rewards are distributed quarterly. Extracted gold sells through Peruvian banking channels, the proceeds buy PAXG via Paxos, and the PAXG flows to stakers proportional to stake size. The protocol burns 15% of accumulated success fees each quarter, contracting the circulating supply over time. Verification Stack Smart contracts have been audited by CertiK and PeckShield in October 2025. TurnKey provides institutional custody for distributions. Kangari Consulting handles geological assessments at the mining site, including the 2025 scoping study that estimated 9+ metric tonnes of conceptual recoverable gold potential. For investors evaluating gold backed crypto yield options in 2026, Ayni delivers a structurally distinct position: returns linked to physical extraction instead of vault inventory or platform fees. Where the Models Diverge With the basics in place, the practical differences come into clearer focus. The four dimensions below highlight where holding XAUT and staking AYNI lead to genuinely different outcomes. Custody and Backing Mechanics XAUT is backed by gold sitting in Swiss vaults. Each token corresponds to a specific bar serial number, with attestations published by BDO Italia. The model is direct: physical bullion exists, the token references it, and the holder owns a claim on that bar. Ayni operates differently. Tokens represent shares of mining capacity, not stored gold. Rewards are paid in PAXG, which is itself vault-backed. The chain runs from mining activity to gold output to fiat conversion to PAXG distribution to staker. How Returns Are Generated XAUT pays no yield. Returns come solely from gold price appreciation, which has been substantial in 2026 with the metal reaching an all-time high of $5,589.38 on January 28, 2026, before settling into a $4,500–$5,000 range. Ayni pays quarterly PAXG distributions tied to actual gold extracted. Stakers see returns rise when production volumes increase and tighten when output slows. Holders of staked AYNI also retain indirect price exposure through the PAXG denomination of their rewards. Liquidity and Use Cases XAUT has deep liquidity across centralized exchanges and is integrated as collateral on multiple lending protocols. Trading volume tends to be high on derivatives platforms, where institutional participants use XAUT for gold exposure inside crypto-native trading infrastructure. Ayni's market is smaller and newer. The token is purpose-built for staking, not for trading or collateralization. Liquidity profile reflects the design intent: holders stake to earn, not to trade for spot exposure. Risk Profile XAUT carries counterparty risk on Tether and the Swiss custodian. Smart contract risk is minimal because the token mechanics are simple. Regulatory positioning sits offshore, with TG Commodities operating outside of NYDFS supervision. Ayni carries smart contract risk on the staking protocol itself, plus operational execution risk on the mining site. Production volume and the broader Peruvian gold market both factor into yield outcomes. The verification stack reduces protocol risk but does not eliminate the operational variable. Side-by-Side Specs The full comparison sits in the table below for quick reference, with each dimension pulled into a single side-by-side view. Dimension XAUT (Tether Gold) Ayni Gold (AYNI) Token represents 1 troy ounce of physical gold 4 cm³/hour of mining capacity Issuer TG Commodities Limited (Tether) Ayni Gold (audited DeFi protocol) Custody Swiss vaults, LBMA Good Delivery Smart contract; TurnKey for distribution Yield None Quarterly PAXG distributions Backing London Good Delivery bullion Operating mining concession + audited contracts Auditor BDO Italia (attestations) CertiK + PeckShield (smart contracts) Liquidity Deep across exchanges and derivatives Newer, smaller market Redemption 430 XAUT minimum for physical Not directly redeemable; PAXG payouts Best for Gold price exposure with crypto-native rails DeFi gold yield from production Choosing Between XAUT and Ayni Gold The two tokens answer different portfolio questions. XAUT works when the goal is gold price exposure with deep crypto-native liquidity. Tether's existing infrastructure makes the token easy to integrate alongside USDT-denominated trading or use as collateral on lending platforms. Holders seeking direct, vault-backed gold ownership inside a crypto wallet find XAUT among the most accessible options in the category. Ayni Gold works when the goal is gold-denominated income. Returns tie to mining production instead of spot price, which gives the position a distinct yield profile that vault-backed tokens cannot replicate. Staked AYNI delivers gold backed stable yield quarterly through PAXG , with the underlying gold exposure preserved through the reward asset. A portfolio holding both is also defensible. XAUT covers liquid price exposure on a larger allocation; Ayni adds production-linked income on a smaller allocation. The combination lets gold function as both a stabilizing asset and a yield-generating one within the same overall exposure. FAQ What is the main difference between XAUT and Ayni Gold? XAUT is vault-backed gold. Each token represents one troy ounce of physical gold stored in Swiss vaults, with no native yield. Ayni Gold is a DeFi protocol that pays quarterly yield from gold mining production, with rewards distributed in PAXG to stakers. Does Tether Gold (XAUT) pay yield? XAUT does not distribute native yield. Returns come solely from gold price appreciation. Holders looking to earn yield in gold through on-chain protocols typically allocate to yield-paying alternatives like Ayni Gold, which distributes PAXG rewards quarterly from mining output. How is Ayni Gold backed? Ayni Gold tokens represent shares of mining capacity at the Minerales San Hilario concession in Peru. Smart contracts have been audited by CertiK and PeckShield in October 2025. TurnKey handles institutional custody for reward distributions. Kangari Consulting provides geological assessments. Is XAUT or Ayni Gold safer? The two carry different risk profiles. XAUT carries counterparty risk on Tether and its Swiss custodian, with minimal smart contract exposure. Ayni Gold carries smart contract risk plus operational execution risk on the mining operation. Neither is universally safer; the choice depends on which risks fit the portfolio. Can I hold both XAUT and Ayni Gold? Yes. The two serve different roles. A portfolio can hold XAUT for liquid gold price exposure and allocate a smaller portion to Ayni Gold for production-linked income. The combination provides stable price tracking through XAUT alongside gold-denominated yield through Ayni's PAXG distributions. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

2 May 2026, 07:00

Riot Q1: Data Center Shone with 33.2M$ Revenue

Riot Platforms moved away from mining with 33.2M$ revenue from the data center in Q1. The AMD 50MW deal is growing, holds 15.679 BTC (1.2B$). Stock rose 7.9%. ID coin has strong supports in the dow...

2 May 2026, 06:00

Bitcoin Difficulty Set For Another 3% Drop: What It Means

On-chain data shows the Bitcoin mining Difficulty is headed for another 3% drop this weekend. Here’s what this could mean for the network. Bitcoin Block Time Has Been Slower Than Expected Recently According to data from CoinWarz , the Bitcoin Difficulty is estimated to decrease during the upcoming adjustment. The “ Difficulty ” here refers to a metric built into the BTC network that controls how hard miners would find it to mine on the blockchain. The indicator’s value automatically changes about every two weeks during regular network adjustments. Whether the Difficulty goes up or down comes down to the conditions on the blockchain since the last adjustment. Satoshi wrote in a simple rule for the network to follow: keep block time consistent at 10 minutes per block. When miners go through blocks at an average pace faster than this, the chain responds by upping its Difficulty. Similarly, it drops the metric instead if the validators are slower than needed. The next Difficulty adjustment will occur during Friday night. Below are the details related to this event. As is visible above, the average block time on the Bitcoin network has been 10.30 minutes since the last adjustment. This is 0.30 minutes slower than the blockchain wants, so it will ease up the Difficulty by about 2.91% to bring miners back up to speed. This will be the second consecutive adjustment to lead to a decline in the Difficulty. The network is being forced to decrease the metric as a consequence of some miners exiting from the network recently. As the below chart from Blockchain.com shows, the Bitcoin Hashrate , a metric tracking the total amount of computing power connected by the miners to the network, has seen its 7-day average value head down. The exodus from the miners is likely to be a consequence of the bearish price action that Bitcoin has witnessed since Q4 2025. This is because the main source of revenue for miners is the block subsidy . The block subsidy is handed out at a fixed BTC rate and thanks to the Difficulty’s existence, miners always get it at a more-or-less equal rate of time (that is, the block time), so the only variable related to miner income is the asset’s USD rate. While the Hashrate did manage to hold up through the drawdown itself, it would appear that the Bitcoin price remaining depressed recently has finally made some of these validators pull out their computing power. BTC Price At the time of writing, Bitcoin is floating around $78,600, up 2.7% in the last 24 hours.