Bitcoin holds steady as institutions expand digital asset exposure
The cryptocurrency market remained stable on Monday, with Bitcoin trading near $111,000 and Ethereum flat at around $4,300. While the two largest digital assets showed little movement, activity was concentrated in alternative tokens.
Worldcoin (WLD) gained 20 percent in 24 hours, drawing renewed attention from traders. AI-linked tokens rose by an average of 3.5 percent, while meme coins advanced more than 4 percent. Dogecoin led the segment, climbing 7 percent amid speculation surrounding the proposed Dogecoin ETF (ticker: DOJE).
Institutional activity intensifies
Institutional investors continued to expand their positions in digital assets.
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Metaplanet, often referred to as Japan’s counterpart to MicroStrategy, purchased an additional 136 BTC valued at approximately $15.2 million. The company’s total holdings now stand at 20,136 BTC.
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HashKey Group in Hong Kong announced a $500 million Digital Asset Treasury fund focused on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other established cryptocurrencies. The initiative aims to formalize the role of digital assets in corporate finance.
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Forward Industries, a Nasdaq-listed company, disclosed the establishment of a $1.65 billion Solana treasury. The scale of the investment positions Solana as a long-term strategic asset rather than a speculative play.
The size of these allocations highlights the growing role of cryptocurrencies within institutional balance sheets.
Retail access expands
Exchanges are also moving to improve accessibility for retail investors. MEXC confirmed support for Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions worldwide and introduced a 100 percent cashback promotion on initial purchases. The integration is designed to lower barriers for new users and encourage broader adoption.
Startup developments
In the United States, Inversion Labs raised $26.5 million in seed funding at a valuation of $100 million. The company’s strategy involves acquiring underperforming businesses in sectors such as payroll, telecommunications, and supply chain management, then modernizing their operations using blockchain infrastructure.
The firm is also considering the launch of a $500 million fund to scale the approach, which could extend blockchain applications beyond token markets into established industries.
Market snapshot
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Bitcoin: $111,000, unchanged
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Ethereum: $4,300, flat
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Worldcoin: +20%
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Dogecoin: +7% on ETF speculation
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Metaplanet, HashKey, and Forward Industries increase institutional exposure
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MEXC adds Apple Pay and Google Pay support
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Inversion Labs raises $26.5M to integrate blockchain into traditional sectors
Outlook
The market continues to demonstrate its dual structure. Retail speculation drives sharp moves in alternative tokens, while institutional investors are positioning digital assets as long-term components of treasury management. This combination underscores both the volatility and the maturation of the sector.
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