Welcome to This Week in Crypto, your quick and easy roundup of the biggest moves in the world of cryptocurrency. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, we’re here to keep you in the loop on the trends that matter most.
Here’s a quick look at this week’s top stories:
- Public companies boosted their Bitcoin holdings by 16% in Q1 2025, adding over 95,000 BTC to their balance sheets.
- Strategy expanded its Bitcoin stash by another 15,355 BTC, bringing its total holdings to more than 553,000 Bitcoin worth over $50 billion.
- Crypto casinos generated $81 billion in revenue in 2024, with platforms like Stake rivaling traditional betting giants despite global restrictions.
Let’s dive deeper into the full stories below!
Public Companies Boost Bitcoin Holdings by 16% in Q1 2025
Public companies are buying Bitcoin at a fast pace in 2025. In the first quarter alone, Bitcoin holdings by these companies grew by 16.1%, reaching a total value of around $57 billion. According to Bitwise, twelve new public companies added Bitcoin to their balance sheets during Q1.
- Public firms now hold around 688,000 BTC, after adding 95,431 BTC in Q1 2025.
- The number of public companies holding Bitcoin rose to 79, a 17.91% increase from last quarter.
- New buyers included Lead Benefit, a Hong Kong construction subsidiary that bought 833 BTC, and YouTube alternative Rumble, which purchased 188 BTC.
Many businesses choose to buy and hold Bitcoin because they see it as a way to protect their money from inflation, diversify their assets, and show support for new technology. Bitcoin is also seen by some companies as a long-term investment that could grow in value over time.
Strategy Adds 15,355 Bitcoin as Holdings Top $50 Billion
Strategy continued to grow its Bitcoin holdings last week as the price of Bitcoin rose above $90,000. Between April 21 and April 27, the company added 15,355 Bitcoin, spending $1.42 billion at an average price of $92,737 per coin. This latest purchase helped push Strategy’s total Bitcoin stash to over 553,000 BTC, now valued at more than $50 billion.
- Strategy’s latest purchase increased its total Bitcoin holdings by about 3%, reaching 553,555 BTC.
- The company’s Bitcoin investments have gained a 13.7% yield so far in 2024, according to co-founder Michael Saylor.
- In 2024, Strategy’s Bitcoin yield relative to its diluted shares has jumped to an impressive 74%.
Many people also look at Strategy’s “Bitcoin yield” to see how well the company is doing. Bitcoin yield measures how much their Bitcoin holdings have grown compared to the number of shares they have. A higher yield means each share of the company is backed by more Bitcoin, which could make the shares more valuable to investors.
Strategy shows no signs of slowing down as it continues to lead public companies in Bitcoin ownership. With over $50 billion worth of Bitcoin on its books, Strategy is betting big on Bitcoin’s future.
Crypto Gambling Revenue Surges 5x Since 2022
Crypto casinos had a huge year in 2024, generating more than $81 billion in revenue despite strict rules in many parts of the world. According to a new report, countries like the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and the European Union contributed to the rise of crypto gambling despite restrictions. Much of the growth came from popular platforms like Stake, which is now rivaling traditional gambling companies.
- Crypto casinos brought in $81.4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024, a fivefold increase since 2022.
- Betting platform Stake earned about $4.7 billion in revenue, putting it close to major gambling groups.
- Users on platforms like Stake gamble with cryptocurrencies, depositing and withdrawing funds directly through crypto wallets.
As crypto becomes more mainstream, the future of online gambling could shift even further toward digital currencies.
