Skepticism over Bitcoin’s ability to rise further has followed the asset for years, and will likely continue even if the price reaches into the millions, according to a Bitcoin adviser. 

“I think it’s going to be that way for a very long time,” The Bitcoin Adviser’s Luke Broyles told Natalie Brunell on the Coin Stories podcast on Friday.

“I think Bitcoin will be at $5 million, $10 million or more, and people will still be saying, Yeah, well it’s 8% of world assets now. It can’t go any higher, right?” he added.

Skepticism has followed Bitcoin (BTC) at every price milestone. Each time the asset has reached a new all-time high, critics have questioned its ability to climb further. During price corrections, many skeptics assumed it would never recover.

It may be an “exceedingly long period of time” before change

This year, Bitcoin reached several new all-time highs. Most recently, Bitcoin reached $124,100 on July 14, according to CoinMarketCap. Since then, it has pulled back to $108,978 at the time of publication.

However, Broyles argued that Bitcoin’s biggest hurdle isn’t technical but psychological, as most people still don’t believe it can improve their everyday lives. “Unfortunately, I don’t think a lot of people will make that switch until they see that,” he said.

“I think it is going to be an exceedingly long period of time,” he added.

Broyles suggested that Bitcoin merging with real estate loans will do much more for adoption than convincing Bitcoin skeptics to invest small amounts over time.

Bitcoin merging with real estate could push adoption faster

“Like, is it going to be harder to convince somebody who’s more skeptical of Bitcoin, hey, you should buy $1,000 of Bitcoin for the next 200 months. Or is it going to be “Hey, you can refinance your home and convert this equity into Bitcoin, right?” Broyles said.

Related: Bitcoin price loses key multiyear support trendline: A classic BTC fakeout? 

“I think that is going to blow people’s minds,” he said.

A lack of understanding is still one of the biggest obstacles to crypto adoption. According to an August 2024 survey conducted by Australian crypto exchange Swyftx, 43% of 2,229 respondents said they hadn’t used the tech because they were unsure how it works. 

Magazine: The one thing these 6 global crypto hubs all have in common…

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/skepticism-bitcoin-can-go-any-higher-will-persist-at-10m-analyst/feed/ 0 55985 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/hyperscale-data-begins-executing-10m-xrp-plan-shares-jump-12-amid-announcement/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/hyperscale-data-begins-executing-10m-xrp-plan-shares-jump-12-amid-announcement/#respond Mon, 28 Jul 2025 22:49:25 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/hyperscale-data-begins-executing-10m-xrp-plan-shares-jump-12-amid-announcement/

Data center Hyperscale Data announced that it has begun purchasing XRP as part of a previously stated plan to acquire up to $10 million of the token, with the company’s shares jumping up to 12% amid the announcement.

The company stated in a July 28 announcement that the reports will summarize digital asset activity from the prior week and display the cumulative XRP held on its balance sheet, positioning the disclosure as a transparency measure for its long-term accumulation strategy.

Furthermore, Hyperscale announced it will start publishing weekly acquisition updates on August 12.

Amid the announcement, Hyperscales’ GPUS shares jumped up to 12%, leaving $0.73 to reach $0.82.

Rail for scalable cross-border value transfer

The diversified holding company framed XRP as a scalable and efficient rail for cross-border value transfer and emerging financial infrastructure. 

It added that its board is considering expanding the $10 million program, subject to market conditions and available financing, and is evaluating a 36‑month lockup for the XRP it accumulates, tied to internal milestones.

Executive Chairman Milton “Todd” Ault III said in the announcement:

“We view XRP as a foundational asset in the evolving global financial ecosystem. Our goal is to build a balance sheet that reflects the future of not just computing infrastructure, but of global finance as a whole.”

The company stated that the weekly cadence is designed to provide investors with a consistent view of execution and risk management related to its digital-asset program, at a time when large public firms are experimenting with treasury exposure to crypto. 

Shares of Hyperscale Data have climbed as much as 12% in July, rising from $0.73 to $0.82. As of press time, the stock is up 7.5% at $0.7835. 

The company did not attribute the move to any single catalyst. However, the disclosure of active XRP accumulation and a forthcoming reporting schedule adds a new narrative for investors tracking GPUS alongside its core data center and energy ambitions.

In a statement released on April 25, Semler confirmed the acquisition of 111 BTC since February 14 at an average price of $90,000 per coin.

The latest purchase brings the company’s total Bitcoin treasury to over 3,300 BTC, valued at approximately $300 million based on current market prices.

Semler Reports 23.5% Bitcoin Yield

Semler said that its Bitcoin strategy has delivered a 23.5% Bitcoin yield year-to-date, a key performance indicator (KPI) the company uses to measure shareholder value through BTC accumulation.

The Bitcoin yield reflects the ratio of Bitcoin holdings relative to outstanding shares, effectively increasing each shareholder’s exposure to the asset.

“Semler Scientific uses BTC Yield as a KPI to assess the performance of its strategy of acquiring Bitcoin in a manner it believes is accretive to stockholders,” the company noted.

Semler, traditionally focused on developing diagnostic tools for chronic disease detection, has partially financed its Bitcoin purchases by issuing $125 million in new stock.

In January, the firm also announced plans to raise an additional $75 million through a private offering of convertible senior notes.

The company’s pivot follows a broader trend sparked by Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), whose aggressive Bitcoin accumulation has driven its stock price up over 350% in 2024.

Inspired by Strategy’s success, several firms, including Semler, have adopted Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.

As of April 25, public companies collectively hold around $71 billion in Bitcoin, according to BitcoinTreasuries.NET.

Strategy remains the largest corporate holder, with a stash exceeding $50 billion, including a recent purchase of 6,556 BTC at an average price of $84,785 per coin.

Public Companies Boost Bitcoin Holdings by 16% in Q1 2025

Publicly traded companies increased their Bitcoin holdings by 16.1% in the first quarter of 2025, signaling continued institutional interest in the leading cryptocurrency despite market volatility.

According to crypto asset manager Bitwise, total corporate Bitcoin holdings climbed to approximately 688,000 BTC by the end of Q1, with companies adding 95,431 BTC over the three-month period.

Bitwise reported the combined value of these holdings reached $56.7 billion, based on a Q1 closing price of $82,445 per Bitcoin—representing a 2.2% increase in value.

The adoption of Bitcoin has also found momentum statewide in the U.S.

According to data from Bitcoin Law, 47 Bitcoin reserve bills have been introduced across 26 states, with 41 currently active.

Just recently, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear officially signed House Bill 701, known as the “Bitcoin Rights” bill, into law—making the state one of the latest to enact legislation protecting digital asset users and operations.

The post Semler Scientific Adds $10M in Bitcoin to Treasury Amid Strategic Shift appeared first on Cryptonews.

Whether you’ve been coding smart contracts for ages or you’re just poking around the blockchain world for the first time, Ronin’s new $10 million Ecosystem Grants program offers opportunities. With grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000 in RON tokens, Ronin is backing teams of all shapes and sizes, giving them the resources they need to bring their most creative ideas to life on the platform.

The Power of Ronin Ecosystem Grants

Ronin is a blockchain created by Sky Mavis, the team behind Axie Infinity, which is one of the most popular Web3 games.

Ronin’s new grants initiative is part of a broader effort called Operation Leviosa. The mission is to boost the Ronin network by inviting developers to collaborate and create innovative solutions. In simple terms, the grants provide money and resources so new projects can get off the ground faster.

That could mean funding to cover development costs, technical audits, or deployment expenses—all essential for building strong, user-friendly applications (sometimes called “dApps,” short for decentralized applications).

In addition to the funding itself, recipients gain access to millions of potential users and viewers through official Ronin channels. These channels can put your project in front of players from games like Pixels and Axie Infinity, as well as a broader audience curious about the latest developments in blockchain gaming and decentralized finance (often shortened to DeFi).

Source Ronin

Eligibility, Funding, and Key Details

The Ronin Ecosystem Grants program accommodates a wide range of projects, from early prototypes to established products looking to expand. If you solve real problems—such as making user onboarding smoother or introducing a cool new way to use digital assets—there’s a good chance you’ll fit the bill.

Grants and Milestone Unlocks

One standout feature is the milestone-based unlocking system. Rather than handing out a lump sum, Ronin provides funding in stages. This keeps the project moving in the right direction and ensures everyone’s goals stay aligned over the long haul. Successful applicants could receive anywhere up to $300,000, depending on the project’s complexity and scope.

Waypoint Gas Grant

If the main focus is on improving the user experience (or UX for short) and streamlining on-chain activity, you might consider the Waypoint Gas Grant, which offers $20,000 in RON. This “gas” simply refers to blockchain transaction fees. The Waypoint grant helps cover these fees, making your app feel as smooth as any traditional website and lowering barriers for newcomers.

Builder Benefits and Application Steps

Beyond financial support, each grantee enjoys a suite of perks:

• A spotlight in the official Ronin Builders Discord, where you can trade insights with fellow developers, venture capitalists, and advisors.

• Promotion on Ronin’s website, wallet, and social channels to maximize your visibility.

• Possibility of integrating with other big-name titles and protocols on the platform.

Applying is straightforward: review the grants, fill out a short form, and then wait three to four weeks for a decision. There are no strict deadlines, so applicants can submit whenever they’re ready.

How Grants Like This Benefit Web3

Web3 is a term that describes the next version of the internet—one where users have more control over their data and digital transactions. By supporting pioneering ideas, grants like Ronin’s Ecosystem Grants drive this vision forward. Here’s how:

1. Encouraging Innovation: Funding relieves some of the financial pressure on developers, allowing them to focus on big-picture thinking. More creativity typically leads to better tools, apps, and games.

2. Growing the Community: Every time a new project goes live on Ronin, it naturally draws in curious users, talented developers, and dedicated supporters.

3. Spreading Blockchain Adoption: By offering grants that help refine user experience and reduce costs, Ronin is making blockchain technology more accessible. The simpler it is to jump on board, the more likely mainstream users will join Web3 platforms.

Ultimately, the Ronin Ecosystem Grants represent an opportunity for both emerging and established teams. Whether keen on building a new consumer dApp, a DeFi platform, or the next big Web3 game, this program could be a springboard. So, if you’re ready to put your idea into action, explore Ronin’s grants and start your application today—you just might shape the future of blockchain as we know it.

Editor’s note: Written with the assistance of AI – Edited and fact-checked by Jason Newey.

Decentralized credit protocol Maple reported that none of the platform users’ positions were liquidated during the Feb. 2 price crashes, resulting in no bad debt.

It also reported that users deposited $10 million to reinforce their margins over the period to avoid liquidation events. Over $10 billion was liquidated in a single day, as Ethereum (ETH) briefly dropped into the low $2,000 price area and major cryptocurrencies experienced declines ranging from 10% to 30%.

Maple is a decentralized credit protocol in which users deposit assets into a pool that acts as a credit line for institutions. According to rwa.xyz data, Maple managed $2.5 billion in loans as of Feb. 7. 

The report highlighted that Maple’s Blue Chip and High Yield Secured Lending products remained fully overcollateralized during this volatility, attributing this to margin calls issued before collateral levels became critical. 

The High Yield Secured pool saw $2 million in inflows during the massive liquidations on Feb. 2.

Maple’s Blue Chip Secured lending pool only accepts Bitcoin (BTC) and ETH as collateral, held by qualified custodians. Meanwhile, the High Yield Secured pool achieves higher returns by underwriting loans backed by specific digital assets and reinvesting the collateral in staking or secured lending.

Syrup is a pool that combines both strategies to boost yields, consequently presenting more risks. The pool issued margin calls to 35% of its loans, which led to $5 million in new deposits. 

Borrowers posted an additional $7.4 million in collateral and repaid $7.4 million in loans, strengthening Maple’s loan book stability. 

As of Feb. 6, collateralization levels across pools averaged 165%.

The report also highlighted that yield options available in DeFi protocols were withdrawn while their vaults continued to deliver two-digit annual returns.

Aave processes $210 million in liquidations

Aave also operated as intended during the large liquidations on Feb. 2. According to Chaos Labs data, the money market successfully processed $210 million in liquidations while maintaining zero additional bad debt.

Chaos Labs highlighted that Aave’s liquidation mechanisms ensured that positions were settled efficiently. Most liquidations occurred on the Ethereum main instance, minimizing losses to the protocol. 

Despite the scale of the liquidations, Aave’s existing bad debt decreased by 2.7% due to the declining value of debt assets.

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