23 May 2025, 10:00

Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings and Two Prime Forge Strategic Partnership Expansion

BitcoinWorld Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings and Two Prime Forge Strategic Partnership Expansion Hey there, crypto enthusiasts and finance watchers! Get ready for some significant news from the world of digital assets. A major player in the Bitcoin mining space, MARA Holdings, is taking its relationship with digital asset fund Two Prime to the next level. This isn’t just a simple extension; it’s a strategic expansion that involves a substantial allocation of Bitcoin – 500 BTC, to be exact – into Two Prime’s managed strategies. This move builds upon their existing collaboration, which previously focused on BTC-backed loans. It signals a growing sophistication in how companies with significant crypto holdings are looking to manage and enhance the efficiency of those assets. This development is particularly noteworthy for those following the trajectory of institutional crypto adoption and the evolving landscape of digital asset management . What’s Behind the MARA Holdings and Two Prime Strategic Move? Let’s break down who the players are and what makes this development so interesting. On one side, we have MARA Holdings (Marathon Digital Holdings), one of the largest and most well-known publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies in North America. As a miner, MARA accumulates a significant amount of BTC through its operations. Managing this growing treasury of digital assets is a crucial part of their business strategy, extending beyond just the mining process itself. On the other side is Two Prime, a digital asset fund focused on providing financial solutions and managed strategies for digital assets, often catering to institutional and sophisticated investors. Their expertise lies in navigating the complexities of the crypto market to potentially generate returns or manage risk for their clients. Their relationship isn’t new. Prior to this announcement, MARA and Two Prime had already established a working crypto partnership centered around Bitcoin -backed loans. In a traditional sense, this would involve MARA potentially using its BTC holdings as collateral to borrow fiat currency or other assets, providing MARA with liquidity while Two Prime earns interest and holds collateral. This new development represents an evolution of that relationship, moving beyond simple lending into active asset management. It highlights a deepening trust and a shared vision for how digital assets can be utilized more effectively within a corporate treasury context. From Loans to Allocation: The Evolution of This Crypto Partnership Understanding the difference between the previous loan structure and the new allocation is key to appreciating the significance of this expansion. Think of it like this: Previous Loan Structure: MARA needed capital (e.g., USD) for operations or expansion. They would pledge a certain amount of their mined Bitcoin as collateral to Two Prime and receive a loan in return. MARA pays interest on the loan, and Two Prime holds the BTC securely as collateral until the loan is repaid. The primary goal for MARA here is accessing liquidity without selling their BTC. New Allocation to Managed Strategies: MARA is now entrusting 500 BTC directly to Two Prime’s management team. Two Prime will deploy this BTC within their specific strategies, aiming to generate returns on the allocated assets for MARA. The primary goal for MARA here shifts from accessing liquidity to potentially growing their BTC holdings or generating yield from them. This transition signifies a higher level of engagement and trust. It suggests that MARA is not just seeing its Bitcoin holdings as static collateral but as active capital that can be put to work through professional digital asset management . Why 500 Bitcoin Matters for Capital Efficiency 500 Bitcoin is a considerable sum, currently valued in the tens of millions of dollars depending on the market price. For a company like MARA Holdings , whose core business is accumulating BTC, finding ways to make that accumulated wealth work harder is paramount to enhancing capital efficiency. Simply holding mined Bitcoin on a balance sheet exposes the company solely to the price volatility of BTC. While price appreciation is a primary driver for a miner’s value, generating additional yield or returns from the existing holdings can significantly boost overall financial performance and provide a buffer against market downturns. By allocating 500 BTC to Two Prime’s managed strategies, MARA is essentially seeking to generate yield or achieve growth on this portion of their treasury. This could involve various strategies within the DeFi or centralized crypto finance space, managed by Two Prime’s expertise. The aim is to create an additional revenue stream or asset growth mechanism on top of their core mining operations. This strategic use of a significant Bitcoin treasury is a strong indicator of how sophisticated corporate entities are approaching their digital asset holdings. It’s moving beyond simple hodling into active, professional treasury management within the crypto ecosystem. Deep Dive into Digital Asset Management Strategies What exactly does it mean for Two Prime to manage 500 BTC within their ‘managed strategies’? While the specific details of Two Prime’s strategies are proprietary, digital asset management for institutional clients typically involves a range of activities designed to generate yield, manage risk, or achieve capital appreciation. These can include: Lending: Loaning out the Bitcoin to vetted institutional borrowers for a return (interest). This is a common yield-generating strategy. DeFi Protocols: Engaging with decentralized finance applications for activities like yield farming, staking (if applicable to wrapped BTC or other forms), or providing liquidity. This often comes with higher potential returns but also increased complexity and smart contract risk. Structured Products: Utilizing more complex financial instruments built on digital assets, potentially involving options or other derivatives to enhance yield or provide hedging. Algorithmic Trading: Employing automated strategies to capitalize on market inefficiencies or trends, though this is less common for large, static allocations intended for yield. By entrusting this to Two Prime, MARA Holdings gains access to specialized knowledge, infrastructure, and risk management frameworks that might be challenging or resource-intensive to build internally. It allows MARA to focus on its core competency – mining Bitcoin – while professionals manage a portion of their accumulated assets. How This Partnership Signals Growing Institutional Crypto Confidence The expansion of the crypto partnership between MARA Holdings and Two Prime is more than just a deal between two companies; it’s a significant data point in the broader narrative of institutional crypto adoption. Here’s why: Public Company Engagement: MARA is a publicly traded company. Their willingness to publicly announce and engage in sophisticated digital asset management strategies with a dedicated fund signals increasing comfort and acceptance of crypto financial products within the traditional corporate structure. Validation of Digital Asset Funds: Partnerships like this validate the business model and expertise of digital asset funds like Two Prime. It shows that there is real demand from corporate and institutional players for professional management of their crypto holdings. Maturation of the Ecosystem: The ability to move from simple BTC-backed loans to more active, managed strategies demonstrates the maturation of the crypto financial ecosystem. The infrastructure and service providers are evolving to meet the complex needs of larger entities. Setting a Precedent: Other companies, particularly other Bitcoin miners or corporations holding BTC on their balance sheets, will likely observe the outcome of this partnership. Successful execution could encourage more entities to explore similar strategies for enhancing capital efficiency and managing their digital assets. This collaboration underscores the fact that institutional crypto isn’t just about buying Bitcoin ; it’s increasingly about how to integrate these assets into existing financial operations and leverage them strategically. Navigating the Landscape: Benefits and Potential Challenges Like any financial strategy, this expanded crypto partnership comes with its potential upsides and risks. Potential Benefits for MARA Holdings: Enhanced Capital Efficiency: Potentially generate yield or growth on 500 BTC that would otherwise be sitting passively. Diversification of Revenue Streams: Create income from asset management alongside mining operations. Access to Expertise: Leverage Two Prime’s specialized knowledge and infrastructure in digital asset management . Professional Risk Management: Benefit from Two Prime’s frameworks for managing risks associated with their strategies. Potential Challenges and Risks: Market Volatility: The value of the underlying 500 BTC is still subject to the inherent volatility of the Bitcoin market. While strategies might aim for yield, the principal value can fluctuate significantly. Strategy Performance Risk: There’s no guarantee that Two Prime’s managed strategies will be profitable. Poor performance could lead to losses on the allocated BTC. Counterparty Risk: Risk associated with Two Prime as the managing entity. Although less of a concern with established funds, it’s a factor in any partnership. Complexity: Understanding and monitoring complex digital asset management strategies requires internal expertise or strong reporting from the partner. For MARA Holdings , the decision to allocate this significant amount of Bitcoin indicates a calculated assessment of these benefits and risks, likely driven by the potential to unlock greater value from their substantial BTC holdings. Looking Ahead: Implications for Miners and Institutions This expanded crypto partnership between MARA Holdings and Two Prime could set a precedent for how other Bitcoin miners and corporations with significant crypto treasuries manage their assets. As the crypto market matures, simply holding assets is becoming less appealing compared to strategies that can generate additional returns. We may see more miners and public companies explore similar collaborations with digital asset funds specializing in yield generation, lending, or other forms of active digital asset management . This trend would further bridge the gap between traditional corporate finance and the innovative possibilities within the crypto ecosystem. For the institutional crypto space, this is a positive signal. It demonstrates that demand exists for sophisticated financial products and services built around digital assets, moving beyond simple spot trading or custody. It encourages the development of more robust and compliant solutions tailored for the needs of large-scale investors and corporations. Conclusion The expansion of the crypto partnership between MARA Holdings and Two Prime, marked by the allocation of 500 Bitcoin to managed strategies, is a significant step for both companies and the wider institutional crypto landscape. It signifies a strategic shift for MARA towards enhancing the capital efficiency of its substantial BTC holdings through professional digital asset management . This move highlights the increasing sophistication in how corporations are interacting with digital assets and validates the growing importance of specialized funds like Two Prime in providing advanced financial solutions in this evolving market. As the digital asset space continues to mature, expect to see more such strategic collaborations aimed at unlocking the full potential of crypto treasuries. To learn more about the latest Bitcoin and institutional crypto trends, explore our articles on key developments shaping digital asset management and crypto partnership activity. This post Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings and Two Prime Forge Strategic Partnership Expansion first appeared on BitcoinWorld and is written by Editorial Team

23 May 2025, 08:35

Trump Gifts Tron Founder Justin Sun Golden Watch for Being Top $TRUMP Holder

Key Takeaways: Justin Sun received a Trump Golden Tourbillon watch for being the top $TRUMP memecoin holder. Attendees spent a combined $148 million to qualify for Trump’s exclusive crypto dinner. The event drew political backlash and protests over Trump’s growing ties to crypto. Tron founder Justin Sun has received a Trump-branded Golden Tourbillon watch for being the top holder of President Donald Trump’s memecoin. In a May 23 post on X , Sun revealed he was awarded a luxury Trump Golden Tourbillon watch during the exclusive dinner hosted by Donald Trump. The event, held at Trump’s private golf club in Virginia, gathered the top 220 $TRUMP memecoin holders. Sun, a known crypto billionaire and backer of Trump-linked projects, claimed the top spot among them. “President Trump said to me, ‘Everyone in this room got in so early. Our young team is destined to achieve great things,’” Sun wrote in a follow-up post, alongside images of the award ceremony. I was awarded a Trump Golden Tourbillon watch by Trump! pic.twitter.com/CCYGQ6FMPA — H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) May 23, 2025 Sun Leads as top Memecoin Buyers to Attend Trump Event The private dinner required an estimated $148 million in collective token purchases between April 23 and May 12 to qualify for entry, according to data from Inca Digital. The top 25 spenders, who contributed over $111 million, were granted access to a VIP reception and a private tour with the former president. The $TRUMP token’s website, managed by Fight Fight Fight LLC — an affiliate of the Trump Organization — listed the event perks. Alongside CIC Digital LLC, the Trump family controls 80% of the token supply, per on-chain data. Chainalysis reports that over $320 million in trading fees have flowed to wallets tied to the token’s creators since January. Former NBA star Lamar Odom was also among the top 220 buyers of the $TRUMP memecoin and qualified to attend the dinner. Ogle, a crypto investor known by this pseudonym, was also among the top 220 buyers who qualified for the event. Notably, Trump’s crypto ventures go beyond the memecoin. He and First Lady Melania Trump each have official tokens, while Trump Media’s financial arm, Truth.Fi, offers crypto ETFs. Eric Trump, meanwhile, co-founded a Bitcoin mining firm that’s preparing for a public listing. Justin Sun’s ties to the Trump crypto orbit are extensive. The Tron founder is also the biggest backer of World Liberty Financial (WLF), a crypto venture led by Zach Witkoff, son of Trump’s Middle East envoy. Sun invested $75 million in the firm and purchased $30 million worth of its tokens during the launch. Political Blowback and Legal Clouds The event drew criticism from lawmakers . Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) called Trump’s crypto ventures a “personal money-making machine,” while Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) admitted the optics “give me pause.” A group of Democrats is holding a press conference to address potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, roughly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia as guests arrived. Protesters held signs reading “America is not for sale” and “Stop Crypto Corruption” while chanting “Shame!” as attendees emerged from their cars near the club’s security checkpoint. Some shouted, “I hope you choke on your dinner,” while others carried props, including a gold coin with Trump’s face and placards demanding the guest list be made public. The post Trump Gifts Tron Founder Justin Sun Golden Watch for Being Top $TRUMP Holder appeared first on Cryptonews .

23 May 2025, 08:22

Tron (TRX) Founder Justin Sun Gives Great Support to Donald Trump and Memecoins!

As is known, US President Donald Trump hosted a dinner for the 220 biggest TRUMP owners last night. While the White House stated that it would not publish the list of those attending the dinner, Tron (TRX) CEO Justin Sun, Magic Eden CEO Jack Lu and BitMart CEO Sheldon Xia were among those who attended the dinner. These names shared photos from the dinner held at the Trump National Golf Club. Justin Sun was present at this dinner as the biggest TRUMP owner, and Sun made important statements after the dinner. Speaking to Coindesk, Sun noted that Trump's embrace of cryptocurrencies was a turning point for the industry. Tron founder noted that Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance was a game-changing moment for the industry. Responding to those criticizing Trump and his memecoin, Sun described the critics as narrow-minded. Arguing that memecoins are legitimate digital assets that involve both risk and reward like traditional businesses, the Tron founder stated that memecoins definitely have value. TRUMP Gift to Justin Sun! The Tron founder also shared a video of the TRUMP dinner he attended, in which Trump's crypto platform World Liberty Financial's Justin Sun is seen calling him on stage and presenting him with a gold Trump-branded watch that a company with ties to Trump is selling for $100,000. “As the largest owner of TRUMP and a proud supporter of President Trump, it was an honor to attend the Trump Gala Dinner. Thank you for your unwavering support of our industry,” Sun wrote in his post. While TRUMP did not experience an increase after the gala dinner that was at the center of the debates, it continues to be traded at $13.6, having decreased by 5.5% in the last 24 hours. As the top holder of $TRUMP and proud supporter of President Trump, it was an honor to attend the Trump Gala Dinner by @GetTrumpMemes . Thank you @POTUS for your unwavering support of our industry! #MakeCryptoGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/Yy2TuWEgzT — H.E. Justin Sun (@justinsuntron) May 23, 2025 *This is not investment advice. Continue Reading: Tron (TRX) Founder Justin Sun Gives Great Support to Donald Trump and Memecoins!

23 May 2025, 08:17

Michigan lawmakers introduce new crypto bills covering state investments, mining, and CBDCs

Four new cryptocurrency-related bills were introduced in the Michigan legislature this week, covering public pension investments in crypto, mining, income tax exemptions, and restrictions on CBDC support. As of May 23, four new proposed legislations, House Bills 4510, 4511, 4512, and 4513, have been introduced in the Michigan legislature, marking a coordinated push to define the state’s approach to cryptocurrency. https://twitter.com/Bitcoin_Laws/status/1925295585718149632/?20 House Bill 4510, introduced by Representative Bill Schuette, seeks to amend Michigan’s Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act to allow the state treasurer to invest in cryptocurrencies. The bill restricts eligibility to digital assets with an average market capitalization of at least $250 billion over the past calendar year. Currently, only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) meet this threshold. These investments must be made through exchange-traded products issued by a registered investment company. House Bill 4511 , sponsored by Representative Bryan Posthumus, proposes prohibiting the state and its subdivisions from banning the holding of digital assets or imposing licensing, permitting, or discriminatory tax requirements based solely on digital asset usage. It also bars state agencies from advocating for or supporting any federal CBDC by issuing memoranda or official endorsements. Additionally, the bill protects blockchain participants by preventing restrictions on node operations, asset transfers, and staking, while shielding validators and node operators from civil liability. You might also like: Senate crypto bill collapses: Is partisan divide or Trump’s digital fortune to blame? Meanwhile, House Bill 4512 , introduced by a bipartisan group led by Representative Mike McFall, outlines a Bitcoin mining partnership programme targeting abandoned oil and gas wells. Under the proposed programme, participants would receive temporary rights to use the wells for energy generation in return for assuming responsibility for plugging, site restoration, and response activity. The bill requires the supervisor of wells to identify eligible sites, publish detailed assessments, and manage a competitive bidding process. Selected participants must provide financial assurances, submit environmental and production data, and report annually. Mining rights are contingent on adherence to these obligations and capped plugging costs. McFall also led the introduction of House Bill 4513 , which would amend Michigan’s Income Tax Act to exempt income earned through the proposed Bitcoin mining programme from state income tax. The amendment defines the scope of exempt income and aligns it with the programme framework established under HB 4512, providing clarity for both individual and corporate taxpayers participating in the initiative. In addition to these four bills, Michigan is also considering the creation of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve. Introduced on Feb. 13 as House Bill 4087, this earlier proposal, backed by Representatives Posthumus and Ron Robinson, would authorize the state treasurer to allocate up to 10% of the general fund and Budget Stabilization Fund for crypto investments. Read more: Bitcoin in retirement plans? Sen. Tuberville revives crypto bill

23 May 2025, 08:11

Michigan Lawmakers Propose Four Crypto Bills: Details

Michigan legislators have introduced a comprehensive package of four crypto-focused bills, signaling the state’s growing interest in embracing digital assets across various sectors, from public pensions to energy repurposing. The proposals, put forward on May 21 by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, cover cryptocurrency investment guidelines, mining operations, central bank digital currency (CBDC) opposition, and taxation rules. Michigan State Retirement Funds May Soon Include Crypto House Bill 4510 , introduced by Republican Representative Bill Schuette, aims to revise Michigan Public Employee Retirement System Investment Act. If passed, the amendment would allow the state treasurer, currently Rachael Eubanks, to invest retirement funds into cryptocurrencies , provided the assets maintain an average market capitalization above $250 million over the preceding year. As of now, only Bitcoin and Ether meet that threshold. Importantly, the bill specifies that investments must be made through exchange-traded products (ETPs) issued by registered investment companies. This move aligns with previous efforts; a similar proposal in February suggested allowing up to 10% of Michigan’s Budget Stabilization Fund to be invested in cryptocurrencies. Lawmakers appear to be testing the waters while maintaining risk control through clearly defined criteria. Opposition to CBDCs and New Mining Opportunities House Bill 4511 , introduced by Republican Representative Bryan Posthumus, takes a more defensive stance. It proposes that Michigan prohibit any licensing requirements on crypto holders and blocks the state from supporting a federally issued central bank digital currency. The bill defines “support” as any official endorsement or participation in federal CBDC trials, signaling strong skepticism toward government-controlled digital assets. Meanwhile, HB 4512 , backed by a bipartisan group led by Democrat Mike McFall, outlines the creation of a Bitcoin mining program specifically designed for abandoned oil and gas sites. The program would allow operators to establish mining facilities at these locations, subject to regulatory review. Interested applicants must submit documentation proving operational capability and outline their expected breakeven costs, ensuring the ventures are both legal and economically viable. The final bill in the package, HB 4513 , would ensure that income earned from the proposed mining operations is taxed under Michigan’s existing income tax framework. It provides clarity on how earnings from the initiative will be treated, closing potential loopholes before the program even launches. The post Michigan Lawmakers Propose Four Crypto Bills: Details appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .

23 May 2025, 08:09

Cetus Offers $6M Bounty to Hacker for Return of $56M in Stolen ETH

Key Takeaways: Cetus is offering a $6M bounty for the return of $56M in ETH stolen during a $223M exploit. Sui validators froze addresses linked to the hack, pausing $162M in compromised tokens. The incident sparked criticism over Sui’s centralization as token values, including CETUS, crashed. Cetus Protocol, a decentralized exchange built on the Sui blockchain, is offering a $6 million bounty to the hacker behind a $223 million exploit that rocked the platform earlier this week. The reward is part of a time-sensitive deal to recover a portion of the stolen assets — specifically, 20,920 ETH valued at around $56.3 million that was bridged to Ethereum. Cetus Reaches Out to Hacker In a late-night post on X , Cetus confirmed it had identified the Ethereum wallet used in the attack and had reached out to negotiate with the hacker. “In exchange, you can keep 2,324 ETH (~$6M) as a bounty, and we will consider the matter closed,” the team said in a message co-signed by data analytics firm Inca Digital. The message warned that legal and intelligence operations would begin if the attacker attempts to off-ramp or mix the assets. The breach, which occurred Thursday, exploited a vulnerability in Cetus’ liquidity pool smart contracts. The attacker drained millions in crypto, some of which were quickly swapped into USDC and converted to ETH. Cetus claims the vulnerability has now been patched. Sui Network, the underlying blockchain for Cetus, responded by coordinating with validators to freeze addresses associated with the stolen funds. “A large number of validators identified the addresses with the stolen funds and are ignoring transactions on those addresses until further notice,” the Sui Foundation said. According to the Sui team, roughly $162 million worth of compromised tokens have been “paused” as a containment measure. Dear Sui community, thank you for your patience while our team works on the incident investigation and resolution. Since taking the actions indicated in our previous announcement, we have also done the following: 1. We engaged the broader ecosystem, Sui team, and related… https://t.co/Gs1EWXZ6AD — Cetus (@CetusProtocol) May 22, 2025 While Cetus applauded the collaborative effort with DeFi protocols and Sui stakeholders, the incident raised red flags in the crypto community over the level of control exercised by the network. “Does that make SUI centralized? The short answer is YES,” wrote Cyber Capital founder Justin Bons, criticizing the validators’ ability to censor transactions. He pointed to the network’s validator count and token supply concentration as key concerns. In the aftermath, Cetus’ native token CETUS plunged 50% and currently trades at $0.1714, according to CoinGecko. Other tokens tied to the protocol, including LOFI and HIPPO, suffered similar losses. Crypto Lost $1.6 Billion to Hacks in Q1 In the first three months of 2025, the crypto ecosystem lost a whopping $1,635,933,800 across 39 incidents, according to the blockchain security platform Immunefi . Most of that was the result of only two hacks of two centralized exchanges. Phemex suffered a $69.1 million loss in January, while Bybit lost $1.46 billion in February. Subsequently, the total number of losses in the first quarter marks a 4.7x increase compared to Q1 2024 . At that time, hackers and fraudsters stole $348,251,217. Notably, experts assume that the infamous North Korean Lazarus Group is behind the two largest attacks. They stole $1.52 billion, or 94% of total losses. The post Cetus Offers $6M Bounty to Hacker for Return of $56M in Stolen ETH appeared first on Cryptonews .