Here’s a quick roundup of the latest crypto news. BlackRock expands its Bitcoin ETP to Europe, GameStop plans a Bitcoin purchase, and Japan approves USDC. Meanwhile, Michael Saylor continues his BTC strategy, and a Trump-backed stablecoin enters the market.
Michael Saylor’s company, Strategy, is preparing for another Bitcoin purchase after successfully raising $711 million through its latest preferred stock offering. This capital boost signals the company's continued confidence in Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
On March 17, the company made one of its smallest BTC purchases on record, buying 130 BTC worth $10.7 million, bringing its total Bitcoin holdings to 499,226 BTC. This purchase followed a two-week break after an intense 12-week consecutive buying streak between November 2024 and January 2025.
Saylor remains a strong advocate for Bitcoin adoption and continues to influence both publicly traded companies and policymakers. He has proposed that the U.S. government should acquire 25% of Bitcoin’s total supply by 2035, as 99% of BTC will be mined by that time. His vision is to establish Bitcoin as a global financial standard and a key asset in national reserves.
Despite recent market fluctuations, Strategy’s Bitcoin investment remains highly profitable, showing a 28% gain and over $9.3 billion in unrealized profits. Saylor’s aggressive BTC strategy has further solidified his reputation as one of the strongest Bitcoin advocates in the financial world.
World Liberty Financial, backed by US President Donald Trump, has introduced a US dollar-pegged stablecoin named USD1 on BNB Chain and Ethereum.
The stablecoin was officially launched on March 4, 2025, with a total supply exceeding $3.5 million. However, according to the project's announcement, USD1 is not currently marketable.
This launch comes at a crucial time as US lawmakers are actively working on stablecoin regulations. The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act recently moved forward in the Senate Banking Committee and is expected to go for a full Senate vote soon.
If passed, the law could shape the future of stablecoin adoption in the United States. Bo Hines, executive director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, stated that Trump is likely to review the bill by June.
World Liberty Financial has already raised $550 million through two public token sales since its platform launch in September 2024. Reports have also surfaced that Trump’s family held talks with Binance regarding acquiring a stake in the crypto exchange.
Additionally, there were speculations about a potential presidential pardon for former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. However, CZ has publicly denied any discussions regarding a deal or pardon.
Despite political concerns and regulatory scrutiny, the stablecoin market continues to expand rapidly. Analytics platforms such as Artemis and Dune reveal that the number of active stablecoin wallets has grown by over 50% from February 2024 to February 2025.
Additionally, the total market capitalization of stablecoins surpassed $200 billion in early 2025, with Tether (USDT) and USDC remaining the dominant players in the sector.
The USDC stablecoin is set to launch in Japan on March 26 after receiving regulatory approval, marking a major milestone for stablecoin adoption in the country. This approval positions USDC as one of the first stablecoins to comply with Japan’s financial regulations, paving the way for broader acceptance of digital assets in the region.
The approval comes after two years of discussions with regulators, financial institutions, and industry leaders to establish a framework for legally compliant stablecoin use.
Experts believe this move will encourage more businesses and financial entities to explore blockchain-based payment solutions, enhancing the adoption of digital assets for everyday transactions.
With this launch, Japan strengthens its position as a key player in the global digital economy. The introduction of regulated stablecoins is expected to improve cross-border payments, facilitate faster transactions, and provide a reliable alternative to traditional banking systems.
As demand for stable digital currencies grows, Japan’s regulatory clarity could serve as a model for other countries looking to integrate stablecoins into their financial ecosystems.
BlackRock has launched its iShares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) in Europe, expanding its presence in the crypto investment space. The ETP is now available on major European stock exchanges, including Xetra, Euronext Amsterdam, and Euronext Paris.
This move follows the success of its Bitcoin ETF in the US, which holds over $50 billion in assets, making it one of the most significant Bitcoin investment products in the market.
The new Bitcoin ETP offers a competitive fee structure, making it more affordable compared to existing crypto investment products. With a temporary fee waiver in place, investors can benefit from lower costs, attracting both institutional and retail investors looking for exposure to Bitcoin.
Experts believe this launch will encourage more mainstream adoption of Bitcoin through regulated financial products.BlackRock’s expansion into Europe comes at a time when demand for Bitcoin investment options is growing, particularly among institutional investors seeking diversification.
Europe’s regulatory landscape for digital assets has been evolving, creating a more stable environment for investment products like ETPs.Industry analysts see this as a positive step toward integrating traditional finance with digital currencies, providing investors with new opportunities in the crypto market.
As BlackRock continues to expand its crypto offerings, the launch of its Bitcoin ETP in Europe could signal greater acceptance of digital assets within traditional financial markets.The move is expected to strengthen Bitcoin’s position as a recognized investment asset, further bridging the gap between traditional finance and the evolving crypto industry.
GameStop shares jumped nearly 12% after the company announced plans to buy Bitcoin. The company aims to fund this purchase through a $1.3 billion convertible notes offering. These convertible senior notes can later be turned into equity and will be used for corporate purposes, including Bitcoin acquisition.
GameStop recently stated that it plans to use its cash reserves or future debt to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin and stablecoins. As of February 1, the company had $4.77 billion in cash, a significant increase from $921.7 million the previous year.
The company's stock closed at $28.36, marking an 11.65% gain for the day. Despite a decline in net sales, GameStop reported a net income of $131.3 million for Q4 2024 and has been cutting costs, including closing 590 stores in the U.S.
Several companies have followed a similar Bitcoin strategy. Firms like Strategy and Metaplanet have seen significant stock price increases after adding Bitcoin to their treasury. GameStop's move aligns with this growing trend of businesses investing in digital assets.
