The crypto world saw a mix of aggressive accumulation, regulatory updates, and surprising market entries this week. From Strategy’s multi-billion-dollar Bitcoin move to Kraken’s leap into stocks and forex, here’s everything you need to know:
Strategy Adds 3,459 BTC, Now Holds Over $45 Billion in Bitcoin
The company formerly known as Strategy continued its streak of weekly Bitcoin purchases, acquiring an additional 3,459 BTC worth approximately $292 million. This marks its third straight Monday announcement and brings the firm’s total holdings to a staggering 531,644 BTC, now valued at over $45.07 billion.
The average price per Bitcoin in this latest batch was $82,618, signaling ongoing confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value, even amid recent price volatility.
Kraken Launches Stock and Forex Trading Services
In a major expansion move, Kraken has stepped beyond crypto, launching commission-free stock and ETF trading for users in select U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Additionally, Kraken rolled out two forex perpetual futures contracts—GBP/USD and EUR/USD—on its Derivatives platform, offering up to 20x leverage. This positions Kraken as a hybrid exchange bridging both crypto and traditional finance sectors.
SEC Drops CyberKongz NFT Investigation
The SEC has officially closed its investigation into CyberKongz, an early and popular NFT collection. The project revealed the regulatory update on X (formerly Twitter) and teased plans for a major rebrand following the development.
This closure brings relief to a space that’s often under scrutiny and may signal more constructive regulatory interactions moving forward.
Other Major Headlines This Week
- Semler Scientific Files to Fund Bitcoin Purchases
Nasdaq-listed Semler Scientific (SMLR) filed an S-3 registration to offer $500 million in securities, with proceeds aimed at acquiring Bitcoin and other strategic objectives. - OKX Targets U.S. Market
Seychelles-based OKX announced plans to launch its centralized exchange and wallet in the United States, establishing regional HQ in San Jose, California and appointing Roshan Robert as U.S. CEO. - China Liquidates Seized Crypto
Local Chinese governments are reportedly converting confiscated crypto assets into cash using private entities, despite the country’s ongoing crypto trading ban. - Mantra CEO to Burn Team Tokens After Crash
Following a 90% drop in OM token price, Mantra CEO John Patrick Mullin pledged to burn all his team tokens set to vest in April 2027 in an effort to restore investor confidence. - DWF Labs Invests $25M in Trump-Linked Project
DWF Labs purchased $25 million worth of World Liberty Financial tokens (WLFI) in a private deal. The firm plans to back WLFI’s stablecoin, USD1, as it expands into New York City. - Binance Advises Governments on Crypto Regulation
Binance is reportedly helping multiple national governments design crypto regulatory frameworks and Bitcoin reserve strategies, according to Financial Times. - Lazarus Group Increases Crypto Hacks
North Korea’s Lazarus Group is expanding its attack surface with Zoom phishing schemes, identity theft, and malware, targeting projects like Manta Network. - eXch Exchange to Shut Down Amid Hack Allegations
Privacy-centric crypto exchange eXch will cease operations on May 1, following alleged links to the $1.4B Bybit hack and accusations of laundering funds for North Korean hackers. - Canary Capital Files for Tron Staking ETF
Canary Capital submitted an ETF application for Canary Staked TRX, a TRON-based ETF, with BitGo Trust serving as custodian—adding to the growing list of crypto-based ETFs.
As institutions continue to double down on digital assets and platforms expand beyond their crypto-native roots, the line between traditional and decentralized finance keeps blurring. Stay tuned for more updates next week as the market continues to evolve.
