Crypto Biz: Bitcoin whales trade keys for comfort
Bitcoin's prominent whales, once staunch advocates of self-custody, are increasingly turning to traditional finance. A BlackRock executive disclosed that many early Bitcoin holders are exchanging portions of their holdings for Bitcoin ETFs, which allows them to integrate with conventional wealth management tools while relinquishing control over their private keys. This trend comes as onchain data shows a decline in self-custodied Bitcoin after a 15-year uptrend, coinciding with rising ETF adoption. Meanwhile, Ripple-backed Evernorth is set to merge with Armada Acquisition Corp. II to establish an XRP treasury, projected to raise over $1 billion. Galaxy Digital recently reported stellar Q3 earnings of $505 million amid increased trading activity and institutional demand, handling a significant 80,000 BTC transaction. Additionally, Wise is reportedly embarking on a stablecoin initiative, seeking a digital asset product lead to support this expansion. The firm, known for its low-cost international transfers, aims to diversify its services in the burgeoning digital assets space.
Source đź”—