issue 242 - week of 5-30-25
curating the good stuff for the casual bitcoin enthusiast each week
summary podcast
Listen below for an succinct overview in podcast format of all items contained in this issue of the newsletter.
news
I used Google NotebookLM and ChatGPT to summarize the information in this week’s news links:
Bitcoin is undergoing a significant transformation from a fringe technology to a mature, strategic macroeconomic asset. Institutional interest, corporate adoption, and even government-level involvement—such as Texas's initiative to establish a state-level Bitcoin reserve—reflect this shift. Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a potential counterbalance to the U.S. dollar's influence and to geopolitical strategies like China’s gold accumulation and CBDC expansion. However, as traditional financial institutions engage with Bitcoin, concerns persist about maintaining its decentralized ethos, although Bitcoin’s protocol design resists centralized influence regardless of wealth concentration.
One of the most prominent trends in Bitcoin adoption is the rise of Bitcoin Treasury Companies. These firms, like MicroStrategy (now rebranded as Strategy), hold large Bitcoin reserves funded through equity, debt, and operational cash flow. This model allows investors to gain Bitcoin exposure through traditional equity markets, though it also introduces risks, particularly around financial leverage and Bitcoin price volatility. A global "game theory" dynamic is emerging, as private companies and governments alike position themselves in relation to Bitcoin, balancing growth potential against the dangers of over-leverage in an uncertain macroeconomic environment.
Simultaneously, the ecosystem is rapidly developing Bitcoin-backed financial products, such as collateralized loans and “bit bonds.” These innovations allow users to borrow fiat without selling their Bitcoin, fulfilling the “hodler’s dream” of accessing liquidity while retaining long-term exposure. Transparency and low interest rates are emphasized, with some platforms offering non-custodial and on-chain verified lending options. Meanwhile, broader narratives around Bitcoin's role in promoting financial sovereignty, freedom, and even interplanetary transactions continue to shape its cultural and political significance. While volatility and internal debates persist, the call to actively build and defend the Bitcoin ecosystem is growing louder as the technology continues to gain mainstream traction.
Saylor’s bitcoin buying strategy is “exploding” globally, but Wall Street is skeptical.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/31/saylor-bitcoin-buying-strategy-exploding-but-wall-street-skeptical.html
Wall Street Can’t Beat Michael Saylor’s Runaway Crypto Engine.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-27/wall-street-can-t-beat-michael-saylor-s-runaway-crypto-engine
Strategy Acquires 4,020 BTC and Now Holds 580,250 BTC.
https://www.strategy.com/press/strategy-acquires-4020-btc-now-holds-580250-btc_05-26-2025
Adam Back Said It’s Still Early For the Retail Investors To Buy Bitcoin.
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/adam-back-said-its-still-early-for-the-retail-investors-to-buy-bitcoin
Bitcoin analysts predict $180K to $250K price top in 2025 — Which is most realistic?
https://cointelegraph.com/news/bitcoin-analysts-predict-180k-to-250k-price-top-in-2025-which-is-most-realistic
Bitcoin To See $400B In Inflows From Institutions By 2026, Report Says.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-see-400b-inflows-institutions-180947618.html
Bitcoin Breaks A Guinness World Record With 4,000+ POS Payments.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2025/05/31/bitcoin-breaks-a-guinness-world-record-with-4000-pos-payments/
Bitcoin vs. Ethereum in 2025: Comparison & Outlook.
https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/digital-assets/bitcoin-vs-ethereum/
ETFs and corporate treasuries should support bitcoin’s uptrend in June as tariff uncertainty lingers.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/31/etfs-and-corporate-treasuries-should-support-bitcoins-uptrend-in-june.html
Vance says US should use bitcoin as an advantage in rivalry with China.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/vance-says-us-should-use-bitcoin-an-advantage-rivalry-with-china-2025-05-28/
Trump Media Raises Money to Buy $2.5 Billion in Bitcoin.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/trump-media-bitcoin.html
GameStop purchases more than $500 million in bitcoin in first crypto push.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gamestop-is-buying-500-million-in-bitcoin/
93% Of All Bitcoin Is Already Mined - Here's What That Means...
https://www.zerohedge.com/crypto/93-all-bitcoin-already-mined-heres-what-means
Pakistan unveils first govt-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1914060/pakistan-unveils-first-govt-led-strategic-bitcoin-reserve
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. goes long on Bitcoin ahead of Champions League final.
https://www.thestreet.com/crypto/investing/paris-saint-germain-makes-uncommon-move-before-champions-league-final
media
Podcast. Unchained: Bitcoin Treasury Companies Are Taking Off. How Risky Are They?
Podcast. The Bitcoin Standard Podcast: 275. The Bitcoin Enlightenment with Ricardo Salinas Pliego.
Podcast. The Pomp Podcast: This Bitcoin Rally Feels Different.
Podcast. What Bitcoin Did: HOW BITCOIN TAKES OVER WALL STREET W/ Jack Mallers.
Podcast. The Pomp Podcast: Bitcoin Is Invading Wall Street FAST!
Podcast. The Investor’s Podcast: Stablecoin GENIUS Act & Bitcoin Policy Update w/ Matt Pines (BTC236).
Podcast. Bitcoin Audible: Chat_133 - Bitcoin Development & Controversy with Antoine Poinsot.
Podcast. Juhyuk Bak: Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025, Alt Season, Quantum Computing w/ Charles (Capriole Investments).
The Bitcoin Conference 2025 | Day 1 Livestream.
The Bitcoin Conference 2025 | Day 2 Livestream.
The Bitcoin Conference 2025 | Day 3 Livestream.
tweets
(Substack blocking direct Twitter links at the moment)
https://x.com/GertvanLagen/status/1927121059280494813
https://x.com/GertvanLagen/status/1926945634201763848
https://x.com/BTC_Archive/status/1927363455209578664
https://x.com/woonomic/status/1927293602423615924
https://x.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1927401413455290558
https://x.com/QuintenFrancois/status/1927300109269700709
https://x.com/MacroScope17/status/1927387842608599171
https://x.com/ercwl/status/1927170971259048052
https://x.com/gamestop/status/1927770418959577147
https://x.com/woonomic/status/1927787523989708886
https://x.com/RyanTheGentry/status/1927795177759928763
https://x.com/getbasedtv/status/1927728956276449765
https://x.com/JacobCanfield/status/1928147290620899378
https://x.com/Official_Cantor/status/1928172801606774825
https://x.com/woonomic/status/1928419521573933427
https://x.com/CryptoKidcom/status/1928191668915777735
https://x.com/jackmallers/status/1928155953276264730
https://x.com/LawrenceLepard/status/1928499303183454432
https://x.com/UnderCoercion/status/1928655058511495442
https://x.com/pete_rizzo_/status/1928742251426906183
https://x.com/BitcoinForCorps/status/1928463955564904682
https://x.com/caprioleio/status/1928646206814855640
https://x.com/saylor/status/1928931268852412704
https://x.com/crptAtlas/status/1928894602364465537
https://x.com/TFTC21/status/1928489870026006787
https://x.com/ByCoinvo/status/1928723126214672517
https://x.com/Vivek4real_/status/1928768418796216379
https://x.com/CarpeNoctom/status/1928989410466373904
If you think we’ve missed something important, please send it to us and we’ll be sure to add it to next week’s newsletter… And please share!
