BitGo revenue surges nearly 4x ahead of U.S. IPO filing

Crypto custody startup BitGo revealed in its U.S. IPO filing that its revenue nearly quadrupled in the first half of 2025, underscoring the booming demand for digital asset infrastructure as the sector cements itself in mainstream finance.

BitGo reported $4.19 billion in revenue and $12.6 million in profit for the six months ending June 30, compared with $1.12 billion revenue and $30.9 million profit in the same period last year. Founded in 2013, the company has grown into one of the largest U.S. providers of secure storage for cryptocurrencies, a role that has become increasingly critical as institutional adoption accelerates.

The filing comes during one of the busiest IPO seasons since 2021, with crypto firms leading the charge. Recent blockbuster debuts by stablecoin giant Circle, crypto exchange Bullish, and blockchain lender Figure have reinforced investor appetite for the sector. Regulatory wins, ETF inflows, and a friendlier stance from Washington are also helping digital assets shed their reputation as purely speculative.

BitGo, valued at $1.75 billion in a 2023 funding round, now plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BTGO. Goldman Sachs and Citigroup are leading the underwriting.

Analysts say BitGo’s strong growth highlights the maturation of crypto as an asset class in its own right, with custody providers positioned as essential infrastructure in the digital economy.

Apple asks suppliers to ramp up iPhone 17 production after strong demand

Apple has instructed suppliers to increase production of the entry-level iPhone 17 by at least 30%, after stronger-than-expected pre-orders last weekend, according to The Information. The move indicates that more consumers are opting for the $799 standard model over the premium Pro versions, which start at $1,099.

Apple reportedly asked Luxshare Precision, one of its two main Chinese assemblers alongside Foxconn, to boost daily output of the iPhone 17 by about 40%. The company has not commented on the report.

The surge in demand for the lower-cost iPhone comes as Apple seeks to revive growth in its flagship product line. The new lineup includes the thinner iPhone Air, part of Apple’s effort to lure buyers in a sluggish upgrade cycle. Notably, the iPhone 17 incorporates screen and camera upgrades once exclusive to the Pro models, narrowing the performance gap with higher-priced versions.

Analysts say the trend highlights growing price sensitivity among consumers, particularly in China and other key markets. While strong sales of the entry model may help Apple protect its market share, they could also pressure profit margins, as buyers shift away from Apple’s traditionally higher-margin Pro devices.

Trump–Xi call breathes life into TikTok U.S. asset sale talks

A call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping has revived hopes for a deal that would see ByteDance divest TikTok’s U.S. assets, though key details remain unsettled.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated Xi’s “approval of the TikTok deal,” though China’s readout stopped short of endorsing a sale. Beijing instead emphasized respect for market-based negotiations that comply with Chinese law. Analysts said the difference in tone suggests both leaders want to project progress while keeping leverage in ongoing talks.

The tentative breakthrough comes after months of deadlock. Congress mandated ByteDance sell TikTok’s U.S. assets by January 2025 or face a nationwide ban, but Trump has repeatedly extended deadlines, citing TikTok’s popularity with American voters and its political value. The latest extension runs until December 19.

Still, major hurdles remain: the ownership structure, the degree of Chinese control over TikTok’s algorithm, and whether Congress will sign off. Reuters has reported that any U.S. version of TikTok under new ownership would likely continue using ByteDance’s algorithm, a sticking point for lawmakers worried about data security and influence operations.

China blocked a similar deal earlier this year amid trade tensions, and experts say it may do so again if U.S. demands cross Beijing’s red lines. “The contours of the conversation better align with China’s interests than U.S. interests,” said Scott Kennedy of CSIS, noting structural reforms were not on the table.

Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute called the talks “positive and constructive” but stressed that the algorithm question remains unresolved.

For now, the deal remains fragile: Beijing wants to protect its tech assets, Washington wants to claim victory on national security, and Trump is balancing political calculations against congressional pressure. Months of negotiations still lie ahead.