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Bitcoin surges to record near $112,000 amid rising institutional interest

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Bitcoin soared to a new all-time high late Wednesday, nearly touching $112,000, driven by growing risk appetite and sustained demand from institutional investors embracing the world’s largest cryptocurrency. The digital asset reached an intraday peak of $111,988.90 and was last trading around $111,259, marking an 18% gain since the start of the year.

Anthony Pompliano, founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, highlighted bitcoin’s increasing appeal to large investors in a letter to clients:
“Bitcoin is the only asset I am aware of where it becomes less risky as it grows in size… With its market cap now measured in trillions, almost every capital allocator on the planet can put exposure on.”

The rally has been supported by crypto-friendly policies from the Trump administration, which have unlocked more capital for digital assets. For example, Trump Media & Technology Group recently filed to launch an exchange-traded fund investing in multiple cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, solana, and ripple.

Bitcoin’s surge also boosted the broader cryptocurrency market. Ether, the second-largest token, climbed to a one-month high of $2,794.95, last up 5.4% at $2,740.99. Shares in crypto-related companies also gained, with MicroStrategy rising 4.7% to $415.41 and Coinbase Global up 5.4% to $373.85.

GameStop Shares Plummet Amid Bitcoin Pivot Concerns

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GameStop (GME.N) shares tumbled more than 15% on Thursday, erasing gains from the previous day, as investors questioned the company’s strategy to pivot toward bitcoin while struggling to revive its core retail business.

The company announced a $1.3 billion offering of 0% 2030 convertible bonds to purchase bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, a move that initially excited retail investors. However, the enthusiasm quickly faded when GameStop also revealed plans to close a “significant number” of stores, highlighting its continued financial struggles.

Analysts expressed skepticism over the timing of the bitcoin purchase, noting that the cryptocurrency has surged nearly 27% since November’s U.S. presidential election but remains volatile. Some questioned why GameStop waited so long to adopt this strategy.

The company’s approach mirrors that of MicroStrategy (MSTR.O), a major institutional bitcoin holder, but has so far failed to boost investor confidence. Additionally, broader uncertainties in the cryptocurrency market have added to concerns about the sustainability of GameStop’s pivot.

With Thursday’s drop, GameStop shares are down over 23% year-to-date.

GameStop Doubles Down on Bitcoin as a Treasury Reserve Asset and Plans More Store Closures

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GameStop (GME.N) announced on Tuesday that its board has approved the addition of bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, a move that mirrors the strategy of corporate bitcoin giant MicroStrategy (MSTR.O). The decision highlights GameStop’s shift toward embracing cryptocurrency as a core component of its business operations.

GameStop’s Strategic Shift Toward Bitcoin

The move to add bitcoin to its treasury comes shortly after a similar rebranding by MicroStrategy, which removed “Micro” from its name in February to emphasize its focus on the cryptocurrency. MicroStrategy, known for being the largest corporate holder of bitcoin, has integrated the cryptocurrency into the heart of its operations.

GameStop has stated that it will use a portion of its cash, future debt, or equity issuances to invest in bitcoin, though it did not specify the maximum amount it plans to acquire. This strategic shift follows a broader push to diversify the company’s financial strategies in the face of continued challenges in its core retail business.

Performance and Challenges in Retail Business

Despite the addition of bitcoin to its reserves, GameStop continues to face difficulties in its primary business of retailing videogame hardware and merchandise. The company reported a significant rise in fourth-quarter profit, which more than doubled to $131.3 million from $63.1 million the previous year, largely due to cost-cutting efforts. GameStop also posted quarterly revenue of $1.28 billion, down from $1.79 billion in the same period last year.

The company, which became a focal point during the “meme stock” trading craze, has struggled with the shift toward digital downloads, game streaming, and e-commerce, contributing to a decline in physical retail sales.

Future Outlook and Store Closures

In response to these challenges, GameStop has aggressively reduced its retail footprint, closing 590 stores in the U.S. in fiscal 2024. The company expects to close a “significant number” of additional stores in fiscal 2025 as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and adapt to the changing gaming landscape.

Broader Cryptocurrency Adoption and Strategic Moves

GameStop’s decision to invest in bitcoin aligns with broader trends of increasing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies. This move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to establish a strategic reserve of cryptocurrencies, further reflecting growing interest in digital assets.