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MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Holdings Surpass Market Caps of Several Major Banks Amid Bitcoin Surge

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MicroStrategy, an American company that provides business intelligence and mobile software, has hit a significant milestone as its market cap surges amid Bitcoin’s rise.

Strategy’s Bitcoin value soared to a record $77.4B as BTC returns to its $120k price. The company is riding high on its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation, as it is reportedly now worth more than several leading banks and equivalent to the gross domestic product of some nations. 

While Bitcoin is still down 3% from its all-time high in mid-August, Strategy’s new Bitcoin value record comes from scooping up 11,085 BTC over the last seven weeks.

Amid the surge in valuation, Strategy CEO, Michael Saylor posted a chart on X showcasing the company’s Bitcoin holdings journey from 2020 to present.

He wrote,

“Our journey began with $0.25 billion in Bitcoin and an immediate $0.04 billion unrealized loss. Today, we closed at a new all-time high: $77.4 billion in BTC NAV”. 

Strategy’s decision to invest heavily in Bitcoin has proven to be a double-edged sword, providing potential for substantial upside, especially during bullish phases of the crypto market. As Bitcoin’s price soared past $120k, the company’s stock responded with a notable 50% leap. The trading volume soared to 13.57 million shares, exceeding the average of 13.43 million. The stock’s rally reflects the company’s transformative Bitcoin exposure, aptly categorized as the ‘new digital gold.

Notably, Strategy’s recent stock surge is a reminder of the profound impact Bitcoin’s valuation can have on companies with significant cryptocurrency holdings. While the 50% increase in MSTR’s stock price presents enticing opportunities, it also underscores the volatility inherent in such investments.

Strategy currently holds 640,031 BTC, equivalent to 3.2% of the total circulating supply. The company is the 800-pound gorilla of DATs, holding a whopping 48% of the total amount of BTC held by around 266 public and private companies. Its Bitcoin stash is now worth more than the market capitalization of several major banks, which includes BNY Mellon, Sberbank, US Bancorp, CIBC, ING, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ANZ Bank, and Lloyds.

For context, larger peers like JPMorgan Chase ($788B), Bank of America ($348B), and Wells Fargo ($254B) remain far ahead. These smaller banks represent established players in retail, investment, and commercial banking, yet their valuations pale against Strategy’s crypto-fueled asset base.

Led by Executive Chairman Michael Saylor, Strategy Bitcoin’s aggressive accumulation has positioned the company as the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin holder. The firm’s market cap itself has ballooned to over $100 billion, largely as a leveraged proxy for BTC exposure, outpacing even its core software business (which generated just $114 million in Q2 2025 revenue). This “Bitcoin treasury” model has delivered annualized returns of ~91%, outperforming tech giants like Nvidia (72%) and Tesla (32%).

This milestone highlights Bitcoin’s maturation as a corporate reserve asset, with public companies now holding over 1 million BTC collectively (valued at $117B+). However, risks loom as MicroStrategy’s strategy relies on debt-financed purchases ($42B planned over three years), and a BTC price drop could trigger impairments or dilution echoing past crypto winters. Still, amid the surge, it’s a bold statement that digital assets are reshaping value hierarchies in finance.

CEO Saylor’s foresight in accumulating Bitcoin, has become a significant factor in MSTR’s valuation. As Bitcoin rallies, so does investor confidence in Strategy’s financial outlook.

Looking Ahead

As per Coinpedia’s BTC price prediction, the price of the crypto asset could peak at $168k this year if the bullish sentiment sustains.

With Strategy’s increased adoption, a continuous bullish price action for Bitcoin will amplify the company’s balance sheet, stock price, and market valuation.

2025 Betting Apps Ranked: Spartans Takes the Lead Over ESPN BET, bet365 & Fanatics

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The betting space keeps moving fast, and users now look for platforms that deliver speed, consistency, and real value. With countless apps competing, only a handful provide a full package that mixes smooth gameplay with strong rewards. That’s why the conversation around the Best Betting Apps in 2025 matters. These apps are more than just placing a wager or spinning a slot reel. They aim to give users a complete experience that includes instant cashouts, rewarding promos, and access to both sportsbook and casino play.

This year, four names are worth breaking down: Spartans, ESPN BET, bet365, and Fanatics. Each comes with clear strengths, but Spartans stands out with its crypto-first model and instant withdrawal setup. ESPN BET connects directly with sports coverage and exclusive boosts, bet365 holds weight thanks to its established global reach and targeted U.S. offers, while Fanatics combines betting with retail loyalty programs. Together, they shape the top lineup users will compare when picking the Best Betting Apps in 2025.

1. Spartans: Crypto Speed with Instant Withdrawals

Spartans caters to users who want frictionless access and modern payments without dealing with banking slowdowns. The platform operates as a crypto-first sportsbook and casino, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, and AVAX for both deposits and payouts. What sets Spartans apart is how quick the process is. Withdrawals are processed instantly, and winnings arrive straight in wallets such as MetaMask or Trust Wallet. Lower fees and zero card declines make it even smoother to play and cash out.

On top of payments, Spartans merges sportsbook and casino under one account. It offers more than 5,900 titles, from high-volatility slots and table classics like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, to crash games and live shows. Its sportsbook covers football, basketball, cricket, tennis, UFC, and more with real-time odds and live stats. The betslip keeps things simple by showing payouts right away, and parlays allow bigger winnings across multiple matches. It’s a setup that keeps users engaged daily.

Promotions add another layer of appeal. Spartans gives new users a 300% welcome boost on both casino and sports, plus daily deposit rewards and headline offers like a Lamborghini prize draw. With just $5 to start, users can unlock solid perks. For anyone sizing up the Best Betting Apps, Spartans comes forward as the crypto-first option that blends instant payouts, a massive game range, and promos that actually matter.

2. ESPN BET: Sports Boosts Backed by Big Events

ESPN BET aims to merge live sports coverage with betting markets, and right now its promo lineup shows that clearly. This weekend users can find a College Football Boost Pack, a Soccer Profit Boost Pack, and even a Stephen A. Smith special tied to early Super Bowl 2026 odds. These boosts give users better payouts on selected bets, making it convenient for fans who already follow ESPN’s coverage to jump straight into betting.

The app itself is clean and simple, connecting ESPN editorial content with betting markets. Match previews often include odds and direct betting links, letting users move easily from reading to wagering. This integration is the platform’s strength. Boost pricing usually stretches smaller stakes with improved odds, helping casual users get more out of each play. Payments are still based on standard fiat options, without crypto support, but ESPN’s credibility and wide recognition in licensed states keep it high on user lists. For those checking the Best Betting Apps with a sports-first focus, ESPN BET fits the bill.

3. Bet365: Global Giant with a U.S. Push

bet365 has been around longer than most competitors and continues to expand across U.S. markets. Its promotions often revolve around “bet-and-get” offers, where a small deposit unlocks bonus bets. At the moment, users in Louisiana and Maryland can place a $5 wager and collect $200 in bonus bets. The low entry barrier makes it attractive for people who want to start small.

The platform’s reach covers a wide selection of sports including football, tennis, basketball, and more. Its live betting tools stand out, with streaming, stats, and cash-out features that let users follow and adjust wagers in real time. Payment methods include debit, credit, and e-wallets, though withdrawals tend to be slower compared with crypto-driven rivals. What keeps bet365 in constant discussions about the Best Betting Apps is its history, sharp pricing, and trust built over decades. For new U.S. markets, the welcome promos provide a simple pathway into betting.

4. Fanatics: Wagering with FanCash Rewards

Fanatics Sportsbook takes a unique route by blending betting with retail rewards. Its standout offer is the “No Sweat Bet,” giving users up to $100 back in FanCash if their first bet falls short. This runs across college and NFL games, offering multiple chances in September. What makes it different is that FanCash can be used for more bets or redeemed in the Fanatics online store for sports merchandise.

The app design is straightforward with quick navigation and standard lines across major sports. In New York, reports showed Fanatics handling more than $200 million in bets within weeks, though margins stayed thin due to heavy promos. This highlights how much the brand is willing to give upfront value to new users. In the mix of the Best Betting Apps, Fanatics is unique because it ties sportsbook play with retail loyalty. It’s especially appealing to sports fans who also purchase gear and want both activities linked through one platform.

Why Spartans Stands Above the Rest

Looking across all four, it’s clear each platform offers something distinct in 2025. ESPN BET leans on its media brand to power sports boosts, bet365 uses its global track record and promo pricing, and Fanatics builds loyalty through retail rewards. Each approach has value depending on what a user wants. Yet Spartans is the one shifting how betting access works. With crypto support, instant withdrawals, thousands of games, and generous promos, it raises the bar in ways others have not matched.

For those comparing the Best Betting Apps, Spartans clearly leads. It combines fast crypto rails, a wide gaming catalog, and bonus offers that actually reward users. It isn’t just about picking odds or spinning reels, it’s about having a modern betting hub designed for how people play today. That’s why Spartans stands as the first choice before testing out the rest.

Legacy Revolution: How Cloud Migration Services Transform Old Technologies into Business Assets of the Future

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Many companies today resemble the owners of old castles. Their walls are built solidly, but time is relentless: the bricks crack, the doors no longer close so tightly, and the costs of repairs increase every year. In the IT world, these walls are becoming outdated systems: Ubuntu 16.04, Oracle DB 11g, VMware vSphere 6.7, and others.

Once they were the foundation of the business, guaranteed stability and productivity. But today their life cycle is coming to an end: manufacturers are ending support, security patches are no longer released, and the cost of maintenance is only increasing.

This is where the concept of Legacy Revolution comes into play — the process when, with the help of cloud migration services old technologies are transformed into modern business assets. This is not just a technical operation, but a strategic step that opens the door to the future for companies.

The Cloud as a New World for Business

Moving to the cloud is like moving from a medieval castle to a modern city. Where each tower and wall used to require separate maintenance, today the infrastructure is scalable, automated, and managed.

Cloud migration services enable companies to:

  • reduce costs with a pay-as-you-go model;
  • ensure business continuity through high availability and redundancy;
  • integrate DevOps practices, CI/CD, and automatic updates;
  • improve security and compliance.

But the path to this world is not easy. It requires a plan, experience, and a trusted guide.

How a migration strategy is born

The journey to the cloud begins with a dialogue:

  • The company assesses what exactly works in the old environment: which OS versions, which databases, which integrations.
  • Do you need speed of scaling, is it more important to optimize costs, or does the business seek greater flexibility?
  • The choice between approaches.
  • Rehost (lift-and-shift). Fast migration as is.
  • Minimal changes to work in the cloud.
  • Refactor/Rebuild. Complete modernization with the transition to a cloud-native architecture.

The choice depends on the company’s strategy: sometimes it is enough to migrate VMware to the cloud without changes, sometimes it is necessary to rebuild the entire business logic for microservices.

Challenges to overcome

Migrating an old stack is always a challenge.

  • Outdated software: Ubuntu 16.04 and Oracle DB 11g are no longer supported, which creates security risks.
  • Dependencies: One system can be integrated with dozens of others, and any failure will create a chain reaction.
  • Downtime: The business cannot stop, even for a few hours.
  • Budget: Costs must be controlled and predictable.

This is where the value of an experienced partner is revealed, a company that has been this way many times and knows how to minimize risks.

Journey metaphor: the castle and the city

Imagine that your IT infrastructure is a castle. It has:

  1. Dark basements. Oracle databases that store data treasures;
  2. Old rooms. Ubuntu servers that are working but already in need of repair;
  3. Tall towers. VMware virtual machines that still hold their ground.

Modern cloud migration services are becoming the guides who say:

“We will move your castle to a modern city. There, the walls will be automatically repaired, the rooms will scale as needed, and the towers will turn into cloud services that work 24/7.”

How the old stack is transformed

1.   Ubuntu

Migrating from Ubuntu 16.04 to newer LTS versions in the cloud ensures relevance until 2027, access to modern kernels and regular updates. Servers become flexible and secure.

2.   Oracle DB

Legacy Oracle 11g databases are migrated to managed services – for example, Amazon RDS or Azure SQL. This means automatic backups, scaling and savings on licenses and support.

3.   VMware

Virtual machines can be migrated to cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud). Thanks to live migration technologies, downtime is minimized.

As a result, instead of a “stone on the neck”, the business receives scalable and flexible assets.

The Human Factor: Partnership and Trust

A successful migration is always a team effort. The customer and the vendor work together:

  • Weekly meetings and transparent reports;
  • Joint decision-making;
  • Training the customer’s internal team;
  • Post-launch support.

Only when trust is established does the Legacy revolution become possible. It’s no longer about “us” and “them,” but about a shared journey into a new future.

Example of a leader

One of these leaders is N-iX. The company specializes in cloud migration services and has over 200 successful cloud projects behind it. It is an official partner of AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, which allows it to build multi-cloud solutions for customers.

N-iX accompanies the customer at all stages: from the initial audit and strategy to post-migration support. Their strength lies in combining technical expertise with a flexible approach focused on specific business goals.

That is why many companies choose them not just as a performer, but as a long-term partner in their digital transformation.

Conclusion: Revolution as a new beginning

The legacy revolution is not about destroying the old, but about transforming it. Cloud migration services allow you to transform a castle with cracks into a modern city that grows with your business. And experienced partners like N-iX become the architects of this city, ensuring security, efficiency, and flexibility.

Today, companies are faced with a choice: stay in the past or embark on a journey into the future. And those who choose the cloud are choosing not just a technology, but a path to a new era of business.

Taiwan Rejects U.S. Push for 50/50 Chip Split, Sparking a Fresh Semiconductor Tension

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A fresh conflict is brewing in the global semiconductor industry, one that could reshape the balance of technological power and rattle already fragile supply chains. At the center of this brewing storm is Washington’s push for Taiwan — home to the world’s most critical chipmaker, TSMC — to move half of its US-bound semiconductor production onto American soil.

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick disclosed the proposal during an interview with News Nation, saying the United States would pursue a 50/50 split agreement with Taiwan. The plan would compel TSMC, the world’s largest contract chip manufacturer, to significantly increase its US-based output. While the company already has several fabrication plants under construction in Arizona, their combined capacity is still only a fraction of what TSMC produces in Taiwan.

But Taiwan’s leadership has categorically denied any such commitment. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun was blunt when addressing reporters: “Our negotiating team has never made any commitment to a 50/50 split on chips. Rest assured, we did not discuss this issue during this round of talks, nor would we agree to such conditions.”

The rebuff underlines the high stakes of semiconductors, which are not just a business but the backbone of modern economies and a geopolitical lifeline. Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance, anchored by TSMC’s advanced foundries, gives the island enormous strategic leverage at a time when US-China tensions are escalating. For Washington, however, the reliance on chips manufactured in a region exposed to Beijing’s pressure is a strategic vulnerability it is desperate to fix.

That urgency is reflected in America’s increasingly hardline stance. Reports last week indicated the US was weighing tariffs on American companies that fail to source an equal share of chips domestically. While TSMC’s Arizona investments would help it sidestep such penalties, the proposal signals how aggressively the Trump administration is prepared to push foreign manufacturers into building on US soil.

Tariffs have become one of Trump’s most-used levers. Over the past year, he has imposed and reshuffled duties on technology imports, aiming to punish consumers for buying non-US products and force companies to reshore production. TSMC has already felt the pressure, losing its special fast-track export privileges at the end of this year, while Trump threatened a “big tax” — possibly upwards of 100 percent — before the company broke ground on its first Arizona fab.

Despite political volatility, TSMC has made deep commitments to the US. The company is investing $100 billion into three new fabs in Arizona, and Apple has boosted its US sourcing commitment to $600 billion. But the technology gap remains glaring. TSMC’s most advanced N2 process node will go into volume production later this year in Taiwan’s Fab 20, followed quickly by the A16 and derivative nodes. By contrast, its US operations remain far behind — currently producing N4 technology, targeting N3 production in 2028, and only expected to reach N2 and A16 capabilities near the end of the decade.

That lag is critical as advanced nodes are prized for their efficiency and performance, making them the first choice for giants like Apple and AMD. The fact that Washington’s domestic fabs will trail Taiwan by several years is a vulnerability it cannot ignore.

Still, Taiwan is not budging. Premier Cho Jung-tai confirmed that “critical substantive consultations are currently underway” between Taipei and Washington, with “certain progress” reported. Yet Cheng Li-chiun’s rejection of the 50/50 split makes clear that Taiwan intends to defend its chipmaking crown.

The implications go far beyond contracts and tariffs. Analysts warn this tug-of-war could escalate into a new semiconductor conflict, with ripple effects across the global market. Chip shortages during the pandemic demonstrated how disruptions in Taiwan’s output could halt car manufacturing, delay electronics shipments, and push up prices worldwide. If Washington’s push for reshoring collides with Taiwan’s insistence on keeping its most advanced processes at home, the result could fracture global supply chains even further.

Taiwan’s chipmaking dominance has long been its geopolitical shield, a reason why the island matters so profoundly to allies and rivals alike, while reducing reliance on foreign supply has become a strategic imperative for Washington. But with both sides digging in, the world’s most vital industry may be heading into a new era of uncertainty — one where the competition over where chips are made could be just as disruptive as the fight over who makes them.

IIF Announces $8bn Gender-Inclusive Capital Drive as Nigeria Confronts Deep-Seated Financial Gaps

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Nigeria’s long-running challenge of financial exclusion—especially for women, youth, and People with Disabilities (PwDs)—is now being tackled with an ambitious new roadmap that sets the stage for a decade of inclusive investment.

The Impact Investors Foundation (IIF) on Tuesday announced a plan to mobilize $8 billion in gender-inclusive capital over the next ten years, part of its Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Roadmap 2025–2035. The document, launched at the third Gender Impact Investment Summit (GIIS) in Lagos, lays out a sweeping strategy to embed inclusion into Nigeria’s economic DNA.

Themed “Investing in Equity: Advancing Gender-Led Solutions for Inclusive Development”, the summit brought together stakeholders across finance, policy, and development, underlining the urgency of confronting what has been described as a bottleneck to national growth.

Developed with PwC Nigeria, the GESI roadmap sets out bold milestones of a cumulative $8 billion in inclusive capital; the creation of 40 inclusive financial products; $1.5 billion in mobilized domestic capital pools; 90% adoption of GESI principles among General Partners; and the enactment of 20 new regulatory instruments.

“This roadmap is not just a plan; it’s a blueprint for a significant shift in Nigeria’s economy,” said IIF’s CEO, Etemore Glover. “The scale of the targets underscores our profound commitment to a future where no one is left behind.”

To turn ambition into action, IIF also launched the Nigeria Inclusive Capital Commitment 2035 campaign, a platform that challenges governments, investors, and intermediaries to commit to measurable outcomes—from capital mobilization to embedding inclusion in investment decisions.

Chairman of IIF, Frank Aigbogun, stressed that financial exclusion is not a side issue but a central barrier to Nigeria’s development.

“This GESI Roadmap is therefore not a social add-on; it is an economic imperative,” he said. “By intentionally dismantling financial barriers, we unlock immense, untapped potential, ensuring that economic growth in Nigeria is not only rapid but also truly equitable and transformative.”

Stakeholders at the summit underscored the importance of accountability. Ibukun Awosika, Chair of GSG Nigeria Partner, said the roadmap “moves us beyond aspiration to accountability, demanding that stakeholders embed GESI principles into every investment decision and policy.”

Her comments were echoed by Jessica Espinoza, CEO of 2X Global, who said intentional investment in women, youth, and PwDs could unlock new growth engines.

“The GESI roadmap is a critical blueprint for dismantling financial barriers and unleashing the nation’s economic potential,” she said.

The summit included a dedicated deal room, which connected women-led and women-owned businesses with investors, fund managers, and development finance institutions, creating live opportunities to channel inclusive capital into underserved sectors.

Local moves in a global shift

The IIF initiative comes as global momentum builds around gender-lens investing. Nigeria, where 23 million women drive 41% of the country’s micro-businesses, is seen as a critical frontier. Yet access to finance remains the biggest hurdle for female entrepreneurs.

To help narrow that gap, the Bank of Industry (BOI) recently launched Project Guaranteed Loans for Women (GLOW), a N10 billion ($8 million) intervention designed to fund women-owned enterprises across the country. BOI’s Managing Director, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said the scheme recognises women as “pivotal to Nigeria’s economic growth” but constrained by limited credit access.

A wider backdrop of exclusion

The scale of the challenge is daunting. Despite high levels of female entrepreneurship, women still face systemic barriers to capital, including restrictive collateral requirements, limited access to formal banking services, and cultural biases. Youth and PwDs face similar hurdles, leaving huge segments of the population underserved by traditional finance.

IIF hopes to move Nigeria from fragmented interventions to a coordinated, long-term investment agenda by tying together capital mobilization, policy reform, and accountability. Stakeholders believe the success of this roadmap could reshape the country’s growth trajectory—by ensuring that development is not only about rapid GDP expansion, but about equity, inclusivity, and opportunity for all.