In today’s developments in the cryptocurrency sector, significant changes are on the horizon. Global asset manager Franklin Templeton has forecasted that by 2025, more countries will begin adopting strategic Bitcoin reserves. This prediction sees Bitcoin solidifying its role as a global asset and a digital store of value, a shift anticipated to be driven by greater institutional and sovereign adoption. While Franklin Templeton did not specify which countries may take on Bitcoin reserves, they anticipate a transition from speculation to a more utility-driven approach in the coming years.
Additionally, the elusive “Blockchain Bandit,” a hacker known for stealing 51,000 Ether by exploiting weak private keys, has resurfaced. After nearly two years of inactivity, the hacker moved the stolen Ether, worth approximately $172 million, into a single wallet, marking a significant consolidation of funds since their prior movement in early 2023.
Meanwhile, MicroStrategy continues its aggressive Bitcoin acquisitions, adding another 2,138 BTC to its holdings at the end of 2024, despite short-term market fluctuations. This purchase brings their total to 446,400 BTC, significantly outpacing other corporate holders. MicroStrategy funded this purchase by selling over half a million company shares and reported a Bitcoin yield of 74.1% for the year, a unique performance metric for corporate BTC holders. Michael Saylor, the company’s co-founder, hinted at this latest acquisition over the past weekend, reinforcing MicroStrategy’s commitment to Bitcoin as a primary treasury asset.
