By Kapil Rajyaguru
ai16z, WIF Lead Crypto Declines Amid $350bn Market Meltdown
Bitcoin erased all gains since the year began, plummeting below $92,000 for the first time in 2025. After peaking at $108,000 on December 17, the cryptocurrency hit a monthly low of $91,300 before briefly recovering to $100,000 earlier this week. However, a rejection at that level triggered a sharp decline, with bitcoin now hovering around $95,000.
Altcoins also struggled as ETF flows turned negative, recording a $600M outflow. ADA fell below $1, dropping over 8% in 24 hours, while DOGE, AVAX, LINK, and XLM saw 7% declines. ai16z and WIF were the biggest losers, tumbling 19% and 14%, respectively. The overall crypto market cap plunged by $350B, now standing at $3.4T.
Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy Buys 1070 More Bitcoins Worth $101mn
Meanwhile… MicroStrategy, led by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, has purchased an additional 1,070 Bitcoins for $101 million at an average price of $94,004 each.
The company’s total Bitcoin holdings now stand at 447,470, acquired for $27.97 billion, with an average cost of $62,503 per coin.
Notably, MicroStrategy achieved impressive Bitcoin yields of 48% in Q4 2024 and 74.3% for the full year, underscoring its aggressive and profitable Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
Oklahoma Senator Introduces Bitcoin Freedom Act to Boost Crypto Adoption
In another news… Republican Senator Dusty Deevers of Oklahoma has proposed SB325, the Bitcoin Freedom Act, a bill designed to integrate BTC into Oklahoma’s economy by allowing employees to opt for Bitcoin as a payment method and enabling businesses to accept such transactions.
Deevers framed the proposal as a response to inflation, which he said undermines the purchasing power of Oklahomans. He highlighted Bitcoin’s potential as a hedge against inflation due to its fixed supply and decentralized nature, contrasting it with traditional currencies impacted by monetary policies.
Bhutan’s GMC To Recognize Bitcoin, Ether, And BNB In Strategic Reserve
Meanwhile… Bhutan’s newly established Special Administration Region – Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) – announced plans to recognize digital assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Binance Coin (BNB) as part of its strategic reserves.
Arkham Intelligence data reveals that Bhutan holds 11,688 BTC, which is equivalent to $1.12 billion, and 656 ETH, worth around $2.2 million, along with minor amounts on chains such as Polygon, BNB Chain, and Base.
Rather than acquiring Bitcoin via seized assets like some countries, Bhutan has relied on sustainable mining powered by hydroelectricity.
US Govt Cleared To Liquidate $6.5bn In BTC From Silk Road
In a decision that shook the cryptocurrency world, a federal judge approved the sale of 69,370 Bitcoin—valued at approximately $6.5 billion—seized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from the notorious Silk Road marketplace.
Announced on December 30, the move marked the end of a decade-long legal saga surrounding the dark web platform infamous for illicit activities such as drug trafficking and hacking services.
The fallout was immediate and brutal. By January 8, Bitcoin ETFs recorded staggering outflows of $569.08 million—the second-highest in history—sending shockwaves across the market.
The sell-off ignited panic among traders, triggering liquidations of over $631 million in leveraged long positions within just 24 hours, according to CoinGlass.
Metaplanet Aims For 10,000 BTC In 2025 Strategy
Moving on… Simon Gerovich, CEO of Japanese investment firm Metaplanet, announced ambitious plans to expand the firm’s Bitcoin holdings to 10,000 BTC by 2025.
This follows Metaplanet’s largest-ever acquisition of 619.7 BTC, valued at $60.6 million, as part of its Bitcoin Treasury Operations.
The Tokyo-listed company’s total holdings have now reached 1,761 BTC, underscoring its strategic focus on Bitcoin for the coming year.
Bitcoin Mining Giant Marathon Has Lent Out $730mn In BTC
Elsewhere… Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA), the world’s second-largest corporate Bitcoin holder, has temporarily loaned out 7,377 BTC—16% of its treasury—valued at $730 million.
According to a Jan. 3 update, the company’s total Bitcoin holdings, including the loan, amount to 44,893 BTC, worth approximately $4.4 billion as of Dec. 31.
CleanSpark Becomes Fourth Bitcoin Miner To Hold 10,000 BTC
Meanwhile… United States Bitcoin mining firm CleanSpark says it now holds 10,097 Bitcoin in its treasury — making it the fourth public-listed mining firm to currently hold more than 10,000 Bitcoin.
All of CleanSpark’s 10,097 Bitcoin has been mined in the US, supporting American energy and jobs while contributing to the growth of Bitcoin’s global ecosystem.
MARA Holdings, Riot Platforms and Hut 8 Mining Corp also currently hold more than 10,000 Bitcoin, BitcoinTreasuries.NET data shows.
South Korea’s Jeju Island To Launch NFT-Powered Tourism Cards By 2025
And lastly… Jeju Island, South Korea’s most famous tourist destination, is embracing blockchain technology to transform its tourism sector.
The NFT cards will leverage blockchain technology to store visitor data, such as travel history, photos, and videos, on a secure and tamper-proof platform.
Starting in the second half of 2025, the self-governing province plans to roll out NFT-based digital visitor cards, offering discounts, travel subsidies, and special membership perks at popular attractions.
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