Semler Scientific is planning a $500 million securities offering to expand its bitcoin portfolio and cover corporate expenses. Following a downturn in crypto markets due to Nvidia’s stock drop, notable developments include OKX’s US exchange launch, Kraken’s new trading services, a significant AWS outage affecting major platforms, and growing interest in blockchain regulatory changes. Amid these shifts, investors withdrew $795 million from crypto funds, while Lomond School began accepting Bitcoin for tuition fees.
Semler Scientific has submitted a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for a $500 million securities offering. The objective is to expand its bitcoin holdings and cover general corporate expenses. Following a bitcoin investment strategy initiated in May 2024, the funds raised from debt securities, common stocks, and warrants will primarily target additional bitcoin acquisition. Currently, Semler owns 3,192 BTC, facing an unrealized loss of approximately $14 million.
Nvidia’s stock decline triggered a sell-off in the equity and crypto markets. Following a significant charge due to a US ban on chip sales to China, Bitcoin’s price dropped to $83,600, along with declines in XRP and Cardano. The CoinDesk 20 Index also experienced a 2% decline, further influenced by negative sentiment towards AI-associated cryptocurrencies linked to Nvidia.
OKX has launched its US crypto exchange and Web3 Wallet, with operations based in San Jose, California. This regional headquarters enables US customers to access advanced trading tools and lower fees while providing a secure environment through robust KYC processes and documented proof of reserves. The OKX Wallet supports over 130 blockchains and includes a DEX aggregator for improved token access.
An outage in Amazon Web Services (AWS) affected key crypto exchanges, including Binance and KuCoin. While Binance quickly resumed withdrawals, other platforms like KuCoin faced severe service interruptions, impacting asset transfers and order activities, though futures trading remained functional on MEXC.
Janover has doubled its Solana (SOL) investment to approximately $21 million by acquiring an additional 80,567 SOL tokens. This strategic growth follows the company’s takeover by former Kraken executives. Since shifting to a crypto-focused treasury strategy, Janover’s stock price has surged by over 1700%. The company continues its engagement in commercial real estate while expanding into Solana operations.
Kraken has expanded its offerings to include US equities trading in partnership with Alpaca, allowing for commission-free access to over 11,000 stocks and ETFs. The initial rollout is limited to select US states, with plans for nationwide expansion, enabling clients to manage crypto and equities within a single account and promoting asset tokenization.
Nvidia is establishing its first US-based facilities for AI supercomputer manufacturing, including production sites in Arizona and Texas. Partnering with major firms for chip and supercomputer production, this initiative is expected to enhance mass production capabilities within 12-15 months and could significantly contribute to the US’s AI infrastructure value over the next four years.
Bybit has integrated with Avalon to expand Bitcoin yield opportunities through a CeDeFi bridge with the Bybit Earn platform. Using a 1:1 Bitcoin-pegged token, this protocol promotes fixed-rate borrowing and facilitates asset bridging across Ethereum and other blockchains, enhancing high-yield investment strategies.
JPMorgan’s blockchain division has launched GBP-denominated accounts in the UK, expanding its real-time settlement services. This enhancement, which allows for 24/7 cross-border transactions, positions JPMorgan to meet corporate demands and increase transaction volume, showing significant growth since processing over $1.5 trillion in transactions.
Recent data reveals a substantial outflow of $795 million from global crypto investment products, primarily linked to investor sentiment towards tariff policies associated with President Trump. Despite this, a resurgence in prices late in the week elevated total assets under management to $130 billion, marking an 8% increase, with US investors leading the outflow trends.
On Binance, the Mantra (OM) token faced a drastic 77% price drop due to a massive sell-off executed by a small group of substantial holders, triggering significant market reactions.
Waylon Wilcox has pleaded guilty to tax evasion, failing to report over $13 million from selling 97 CryptoPunk NFTs. This case underscores tax implications tied to cryptocurrency transactions, with the IRS stressing the importance of reporting for NFT-related profits, particularly in the evolving landscape of digital assets.
Lomond School in Scotland has become the first UK institution to accept Bitcoin for tuition payments, responding to parental requests. The school plans to gradually implement Bitcoin payments while converting them to sterling, managing compliance risks, and is considering establishing a Bitcoin asset reserve contingent on market acceptance.
The SEC is exploring regulatory adjustments to foster blockchain innovation during a roundtable discussion. This represents a shift from the previous administration’s strict policies, with discussions involving major industry players. The evolving regulatory environment suggests potential for more supportive measures for cryptocurrency and blockchain advancements.
McDonald’s has opted to dismiss a Bitcoin treasury proposal from conservative shareholders following a ruling by the SEC endorsing the company’s decision. This reflects the company’s current stance against altering its investment strategy to incorporate Bitcoin, diverging from trends in the broader corporate landscape.
