Tokyo-listed Metaplanet Inc. has successfully raised 9.5 billion yen ($60.6 million) this week, through two separate bond issues aimed at accelerating its bitcoin acquisition efforts. The company issued a 5 billion yen ($31.9 million) fifth ordinary bond, following an initial 4.5 billion yen ($28.7 million) bond earlier in the week. Remarkably, both bonds are zero-interest and are set to mature by June 16, 2025.

Simon Gerovich, CEO of Metaplanet, announced on the social platform X that the raised funds would enable the firm to advance its Bitcoin purchases, originally slated for 2025, to the current year. This strategic move underscores the firm’s aggressive push into cryptocurrency investment.

Having declared bitcoin a strategic treasury reserve asset earlier in May, Metaplanet has been actively increasing its Bitcoin holdings. As of December 18, the firm’s portfolio boasted approximately 1,142.287 BTC, valued at around $110.3 million, highlighting its commitment to embedding cryptocurrency at the core of its financial strategy.

Source

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially approved dual Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs from Hashdex and Franklin Templeton. This move marks a significant expansion in institutional access to the two largest cryptocurrencies through spot-based investment options. The approved funds include the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF and the Franklin Templeton Crypto Index ETF.

Franklin Templeton’s filing, submitted today, was granted expedited approval after meeting commodity-based trust share standards. The approval of these ETFs follows recent predictions from Bloomberg analysts who anticipated the SEC’s green light for both Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Looking ahead, analysts speculate that Litecoin could be next in line for ETF approval, with its status as a Bitcoin fork possibly positioning it as a commodity. Despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty around Solana and XRP ETFs, the approval of these major crypto ETFs is a promising sign for the future of digital asset investment.

SEC Files

According to Whale Alert, the average profit per BTC is at an all-time high of $67,088, at the time of writing.

“The Potential Profit per Token graph shows the potential profit that holders could make per token if they sold at a specific time,” Whale Alert’s website explains. Whale Alert has further calculations on this metric that can be found here.

To put this in perspective, this is more than the average American salary in 2024, which is $62,027. Imagine watching your savings grow and outperform your own yearly salary just for owning one bitcoin.

Every day, you trade…

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On Wednesday, December 19, 2024, Foundation announced the release of its newest device, the Passport Prime.

Introducing Passport Prime – Your Personal Security Platform!We’re thrilled to present Passport Prime, the world’s first personal security platform designed to secure your Bitcoin and your entire digital life. Think: A Swiss Army Knife for your online security. pic.twitter.com/3HH2eG7vhU

— FOUNDATION (@FOUNDATIONdvcs) December 18, 2024

The device offers a broad range of features that not only help users secure the keys to their bitcoin but other digital information, as well.

Features

For starters, the Passport Prime offers the same bitcoin wallet capabilities as the company’s…

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As a condition of a new IMF loan package, President Bukele of El Salvador has had to concede three aspects of the Bitcoin Law passed in 2021:

A legal tender mandate requiring businesses to accept BitcoinShutting down Chivo, the state run wallet and on/off ramp serviceNo longer accepting tax payments in bitcoin

Ultimately everything except the last one is a positive change. Legal tender laws are ultimately coercive, and in my opinion shouldn’t exist. Chivo…

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On December 19, 2024, the daily net flow of U.S. Bitcoin ETFs showed a mixed pattern of inflows and outflows across various funds. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: IBIT) led with a substantial net inflow, adding 3,549 BTC to its holdings, indicating strong investor confidence. In contrast, Grayscale’s GBTC (Ticker: GBTC) saw a significant net outflow of 802 BTC.

Other funds also experienced changes; Grayscale’s BTC fund (Ticker: BTC) gained 35 BTC, and VanEck’s (Ticker: HODL) increased by 28 BTC. However, Bitwise’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: BITB) and ARK’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: ARKB) faced net outflows of 163 BTC and 65 BTC, respectively. Invesco Galaxy’s (Ticker: BTCO) reported a larger decrease, losing 492 BTC. Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF (Ticker: FBTC), Valkyrie’s (Ticker: BRRR), and Franklin Templeton’s (Ticker: EZBC) holdings remained unchanged for the day.

Overall, the total Bitcoin holdings of these ETFs amounted to 1,140,474 BTC, with a net daily increase of 2,090 BTC, valued at approximately $210.2 million. This day’s activity underscores the dynamic trading and varied investor reactions within the Bitcoin ETF market.

Disclaimer: Market capitalizations and data can vary in real-time. The information provided here is intended purely for educational purposes and should not, under any circumstances, be construed as financial advice.

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The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has awarded 7 BTC, approximately $706,000, to 20 projects that aim to empower individuals in countries with authoritarian governments. These grants target initiatives across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, enhancing Bitcoin’s reach and functionality in regions where financial freedom is severely restricted.

Recipients include a wide array of projects, from the Stratum V2 Reference Implementation aimed at mining decentralization to the African UX Bitcoin Bootcamp, all designed to improve Bitcoin infrastructure and increase its resilience against censorship. The focus extends to developing privacy tools, enhancing user experience, and ensuring the digital currency’s robust growth as a liberating financial resource.

This significant financial injection not only underscores the HRF’s commitment to human rights through technological empowerment but also solidifies Bitcoin’s role as a crucial tool against oppression. By supporting these ventures, the HRF is enhancing Bitcoin’s utility as a secure, decentralized currency in the fight for financial independence worldwide.