Welcome to This Week in Crypto, where we break down the biggest stories moving the digital asset world. From billion-dollar Bitcoin movements to long-term corporate strategies, here’s what had everyone talking this week:
Here’s a quick look at what’s new:
- Early investor sells 80,000 BTC: Galaxy Digital confirmed it handled one of the largest-ever Bitcoin transactions, with 80,000 BTC sold as part of the seller’s estate planning strategy.
- Solo miner earns $373K reward: A rare solo Bitcoin miner successfully added a block to the network, earning over $370,000 in BTC. These events are uncommon in today’s mining landscape, which is dominated by large-scale operations.
- Metaplanet grows Bitcoin holdings: The Tokyo-listed firm added another 780 BTC to its treasury, continuing its path toward an ambitious 100,000 BTC target by the end of 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at what it all means for the crypto space this week!
Early Bitcoin Holder Sells 80,000 BTC Through Galaxy Digital
An early Bitcoin holder has sold 80,000 BTC through Galaxy Digital in what’s being called one of the largest transactions in crypto history. The sale, valued at over $9 billion, was confirmed by Galaxy in a public statement, though details like the exact timing and sale price were not disclosed. The sale happened during a day of high price swings in the Bitcoin market.
- The 80,000 BTC sale was confirmed by Galaxy Digital and linked to estate planning.
- Bitcoin briefly dipped below $115,000 that day before recovering to over $117,000.
- Market analysts say the large sale was fully absorbed without major disruption.
Galaxy did not reveal the identity of the seller, but blockchain data shows the coins came from a wallet that had been inactive for years. The funds were moved earlier this month and then sent to Galaxy before being sold.
Solo Miner Earns Block Reward Amid Growing Industry Pressure
A solo Bitcoin miner recently earned a full block reward, a rare outcome in today’s competitive mining environment. The individual was using the Solo CK mining pool and successfully added a block to the Bitcoin network over the weekend. Events like this are uncommon due to the increasing network difficulty and dominance of large-scale mining operations.
- The reward totaled 3.125 BTC plus about $3,400 in transaction fees, valued at roughly $373,000.
- This marks one of only a few solo wins in 2025, despite rising hashrate and tougher mining conditions.
- The Bitcoin network’s current difficulty level remains near record highs, requiring significant computing power.
Most Bitcoin mining today is done by major companies using large data centers and specialized equipment. While solo block discoveries still happen, they are rare and not typical in an industry that demands significant resources and infrastructure.
Metaplanet Grows Bitcoin Holdings as Part of Long-Term Plan
Metaplanet, a public company based in Tokyo, has added 780 more Bitcoin to its treasury. This brings its total to over 17,000 BTC as it continues working toward a larger goal set for 2026. The company is funding these purchases by issuing new stock and using some of its regular income.
- Metaplanet now holds more than 17,000 Bitcoin, worth over $2 billion.
- In July, it issued 23 million new shares to pay off bonds and buy more Bitcoin.
- Its current plan is to reach 100,000 BTC by the end of 2026.
The company began this strategy in 2024 and has picked up the pace in 2025. Whether it can reach its goal will depend on market conditions and how much interest there is in its stock and bonds. Metaplanet’s approach is one of the most ambitious among public companies, and its progress will likely be watched closely in the months ahead.
