Alpaca Finance Institutional Newsletter #111

Key Points:

  • Trump's Bitcoin Reserve Plan Triggers $100,000 Bitcoin Surge

  • Microsoft Shareholders Reject Bitcoin Treasury Proposal

  • El Salvador nears $1.3 billion IMF deal to ease Bitcoin mandates

Donald Trump’s support for Bitcoin after his election victory sent its price above $100,000. Trump proposed establishing a strategic U.S. Bitcoin reserve similar to oil reserves to stay ahead of global competitors such as China. A Republican senator introduced the Bitcoin Act, suggesting that the U.S. buy 1 million Bitcoins to deal with the national debt. Russia is also eyeing Bitcoin reserves after sanctions affected its foreign exchange reserves. Analysts predict that Trump’s move could push Bitcoin’s valuation to $800,000, greatly reshaping its market role.

Microsoft shareholders voted down a proposal to allocate 1% of the company's $78.4 billion in assets to Bitcoin as an inflation hedge. Despite a presentation by MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor highlighting Bitcoin's potential, the board opposed the move, citing concerns about volatility and a preference for stable investments. The decision came after the board recommended against the proposal, which was led by the National Center for Public Policy Research. Bitcoin prices fell 4% to $95,700 following the announcement, likely reflecting market sentiment toward the rejection.

El Salvador is close to finalizing a $1.3 billion IMF loan agreement that includes voluntary, but not mandatory, acceptance of Bitcoin as part of its fiat currency reforms. The agreement could unlock $2 billion in additional loans, adjust fiscal policy to reduce the budget deficit and strengthen reserves. While Bitcoin remains legal tender, domestic adoption remains low, with most Salvadorans relying on the U.S. dollar. The agreement marks a shift for El Salvador from its early pro-Bitcoin stance to balancing international financing needs with economic stability.

news

  • Trump Confirms Bitcoin Reserve Plan — Price Expected to Rise by $15 Trillion

  • Microsoft Shareholders Vote Down on Bitcoin Treasury Proposal

  • Google unveils new quantum computing chip: Is the clock ticking for cryptographic encryption?

  • MicroStrategy to join Nasdaq-100 as Bitcoin rebounds

product

  • Binance and Circle Partner to Promote Global Adoption of USDC Stablecoin

  • OpenSea Cayman Islands registration fuels token airdrop rumors

  • Ethena Launches Stablecoin Backed by BlackRock’s BUIDL Token

  • “Tomarket” Telegram Game Converts TON to Aptos Ahead of Token Launch and Airdrop

Regulation

  • El Salvador asked to remove mandatory Bitcoin acceptance to receive $1.3 billion IMF loan — FT

  • Binance boss Richard Teng says re-entering US market is a ‘premature discussion’

  • New House Financial Services Committee Chairman Says Clear Crypto Regulation Is Almost His Top Priority

  • New York Regulator Approves Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin — Brad Garlinghouse

funds

  • Riot Platforms Announces Proposed Private Offering of $500 Million Convertible Senior Notes

  • Cryptocurrency funding surges after Trump win

  • Multinational crypto payments company Sphere raises $5 million from Coinbase and Kraken Ventures

  • Venture Capital Roundup: Investors use the blockchain ecosystem to reach startups