Bitcoin Hoarder’s Stock Soars 4,000% in Japan on Crypto Rally
According to Bloomberg, the Japanese company Metaplanet Inc. has seen its stock skyrocket by an astonishing 4,000% over the past year. This surge is attributed to the company's strategic pivot to stockpiling Bitcoin amidst a growing demand for cryptocurrency in Japan. The rally coincided with Bitcoin reaching a record high of $109,241 on January 20, 2025, following U.S. President Donald Trump's pro-crypto policies. However, Bitcoin's value has since fluctuated due to global instability caused by trade policies.
Newport Man Seeks Lost £620m Bitcoin Fortune
BBC.com reports that James Howells, a computer engineer from Newport, is determined to recover a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins, currently valued at approximately £620 million. The hard drive was mistakenly discarded in 2013 and is believed to be buried in a landfill containing over 1.4 million tonnes of waste. Despite his legal efforts to gain access to the site or receive £495 million in compensation, a judge dismissed his case. Howells is now exploring the possibility of purchasing the landfill, which is set to close in the 2025-26 financial year.
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF Could Be a Game Changer
Yahoo Finance highlights a significant development in the cryptocurrency market: the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the initial application for a combined Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF) by Bitwise Asset Management. This ETF, weighted by the market caps of the two cryptocurrencies, could attract substantial institutional investment. Following the announcement, existing ETFs saw inflows of $655 million. While the impact on prices remains uncertain, this new financial instrument is expected to further integrate cryptocurrencies into traditional markets.
Bitcoin Stumbles Amid Trump’s Tariff Announcements
Cointelegraph reports that Bitcoin experienced a temporary dip after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. The cryptocurrency dropped to $94,000 but quickly rebounded to over $97,000. The total crypto market cap also saw a brief decline from $3.15 trillion to $3.10 trillion before recovering to $3.13 trillion. Market sentiment, as measured by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, remains in the "fear" territory, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the market.
Sources:
- Bitcoin Hoarder’s Stock Soars 4,000% in Japan on Crypto Rally
- Bitcoin: Newport man wants to buy tip where he lost £620m fortune
- This Recent Development Could Be a Game Changer for Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Difficulty Leaps 5.61% to a Staggering 114.17 Trillion
- Here's 1 New Reason to Buy $1,000 of Bitcoin and Ethereum Right Now
- Bitcoin stumbles as Trump announces 25% steel and aluminum tariffs
