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Elon Musk has become the first individual in recorded history to attain a net worth of $500 billion, according to the latest Forbes billionaire index. His estimated fortune stood at $499.5 billion as of October 1, driven by sharp gains in Tesla shares and upward revaluations of his other ventures. Tesla’s stock climbed nearly 4 per cent on that day, contributing over $7 billion to Musk’s wealth, […]

Bitcoin’s price has flirted with the $115,000 mark, only to pull back and settle into a tight range between about $108,750 and $112,000 as buying momentum weakens. Traders and analysts now await a decisive move in either direction to signal the next major trend.

After a breakout attempt stalled just above $115,000, liquidity cooled and buyers began to step aside, according to on-chain data and sentiment analysis. The 30-day momentum index on CryptoQuant dropped to –2 per cent from +1 per cent earlier in the week, underlining a loss of conviction behind the rally. The price action now shows descending highs, suggesting bulls are losing early ground. Resistance sits in the $111,000–$112,000 zone; only a sustained move here could re-ignite upward pressure. Failure to defend support around $108,600 could expose the market to a slide toward $106,000–$105,000.

Technical analysts point to a pattern of consolidation following the failed breakout above $115,000. While buyers attempted to push through, they lacked follow-through, leaving the market stuck in a neutral to slightly bearish posture. Axel Adler, whose work with CryptoQuant is cited in analyses, observed that sellers are stepping in at lower highs, limiting upside attempts. Market structure is now tilted toward volatility unless fresh demand emerges.

Institutional behaviour adds nuance. Whale wallets—those holding between 100 and 1,000 BTC—have accumulated roughly 65,000 BTC in recent sessions, bringing their aggregate holdings to an all-time high of about 3.65 million BTC. That accumulation suggests structural demand remains under the surface. At the same time, analysts note that technical indicators like moving averages have formed bullish signals—for instance, a “golden cross” between the 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages on shorter timeframes is seen as supportive. Some forecasts even project a path toward $150,000 should momentum revive.

Macro drivers are also in focus. ETF inflows in the United States are injecting liquidity into the market and are widely regarded as a catalyst for continuation moves. Bitcoin has reclaimed its 100-day moving average, which had acted as resistance and is now a support anchor. RSI readings have turned positive, and the broader sentiment has shifted from outright bearish to cautiously optimistic as institutional capital flows reappear.

Still, not everyone is confident. Some analysts argue that despite price strength, the upside is structurally vulnerable. A technical review on Seeking Alpha has rated Bitcoin a “Sell” over the next 12 months, citing weaker momentum and divergence as signals that gains may not sustain without external catalysts.

Crucially, macroeconomic uncertainty looms. Market bets converge around expectations of U. S. Federal Reserve interest rate cuts in the final quarter. Should stimulus emerge, risk-assets including Bitcoin might rally; if inflation surprises or central banks hold firm, volatility could reverberate downward.

Metaplanet has added 5,268 Bitcoin to its treasury, lifting its total holdings to 30,823 BTC—a stash now worth roughly $3.5 billion. The move marks another aggressive step in the company’s ambition to dominate corporate Bitcoin accumulation.

The Tokyo-listed firm disclosed the latest purchase via its analytics platform, citing an average cost per coin in the range of $116,800. With this transaction, Metaplanet fortifies its position among the largest public Bitcoin treasuries globally. The company has previously disclosed a 5,419-coin buy earlier in September.

Metaplanet’s strategy, initiated in 2024 when it shifted from hotel and media operations into a Bitcoin-heavy treasury model, has relied heavily on capital raises and issuance of equity linked instruments. In early September, shareholders green-lit a plan to issue up to 550 million new shares overseas—raising about ¥130.3 billion —with proceeds earmarked in part for further BTC accumulation. Eric Trump, who serves on Metaplanet’s advisory board, was present at the meeting and took part in a fireside chat session.

The company projects bold long-term goals: by 2026, it aims to reach 100,000 BTC, and by late 2027, to hold 210,000—about 1 percent of total Bitcoin supply.

Despite its crypto focus, Metaplanet’s stock performance has been volatile. Since mid-June, the share price has fallen sharply—losing over 50 percent—reflecting investor concern over dilution risk, weak revenue fundamentals, and compressed valuation premiums compared to its Bitcoin holdings.

Analysts caution that Metaplanet’s heavily leveraged approach leaves it vulnerable. Should Bitcoin’s price fall, the firm could see large mark‐to-market losses or face funding constraints if markets turn against inflows. Still, Metaplanet argues its “Bitcoin yield” metric—growth in BTC per share—aligns incentives for equity holders to back continued accumulation.

The company also is diversifying its strategy. It has launched a U. S.-based subsidiary in Miami to manage derivatives and income-generation business lines, and is developing digital platforms rooted in Bitcoin.

Gold surged to an unprecedented high on Wednesday, driven by investor flight to safe assets after the United States entered a federal government shutdown that threatens to delay key economic data releases.

Spot gold climbed above $3,875 per ounce, and U. S. gold futures for December touched $3,887.40, marking fresh peaks in the metal’s dramatic rally this year. The dollar weakened, while U. S. stock futures slid, reflecting the heightened uncertainty gripping global markets.

The shutdown froze large swathes of federal operations after Congress failed to approve funding for the 2026 fiscal year, triggering furloughs for approximately 750,000 federal workers and imposing a daily cost to the government of around $400 million.

With the shutdown effectively halting the release of critical economic indicators—most notably the September non-farm payrolls data—the Federal Reserve is being forced to rely on alternate data sources to assess conditions ahead of its October meeting. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned that central bankers will need to “turn to other data sources” if official reports are suspended.

In labor market reports released earlier, the JOLTS data showed only marginal growth in job openings in August, while hiring declined—signalling cooling momentum in the U. S. labour market. This, combined with the shutdown, has increased market expectations that the Fed will move to cut interest rates in October. Futures now price in a 96 per cent likelihood of a 25-basis-point cut.

Institutional demand has bolstered the gold rally: central banks have continued to accumulate bullion, even as inflows to gold-backed exchange-traded funds have surged. Analysts point to a powerful confluence of safe-haven inflows and speculative momentum. Deutsche Bank and other firms have flagged upside targets in the $3,900–$4,000 range if current conditions persist.

Silver also posted gains, hitting a 14-year high, while platinum and palladium lagged modestly. In India, gold prices on the MCX breached all-time highs, crossing ₹1,17,351 per 10 grams as global and domestic investors sought shelter from volatility.

Analysts caution, however, that the rally faces key risks. A rebound in the dollar, a surprise hawkish tilt from the Fed, or a sudden resolution of the funding impasse could reverse momentum. The longer the shutdown endures, the greater the danger that data collection becomes impaired—threatening the quality of future releases such as inflation, GDP, and employment statistics.

The valuation of the U. S. Treasury’s gold reserves has also gained attention: the gold holdings—officially booked at historical rates—now command a market value exceeding $1 trillion, driven by the steep rise in bullion prices.

Wall Street insiders note that the shutdown has injected a new element of volatility into markets already stretched by geopolitical tensions and macro imbalances. Equity futures were already under pressure on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both down nearly 0.5 per cent in early trade.

Matein Khalid The old adage that stock markets swing between fear and greed has been borne out by the mixed performance of Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index over the first nine months of 2025. A turning point came on Wednesday September 24 when the Tadawul staged its biggest single-day rally since 2020, after a Capital Market Authority board member signalled that the 49 percent foreign ownership cap on Saudi equities […]

Arcapita Group Holdings has divested nine industrial real estate assets totalling 1.5 million square feet in Indianapolis, Indiana, to logistics specialist Capital Partners. The firm described the transaction as a key value realisation under challenging market conditions. The assets comprised a diverse mix of office, flex, and distribution facilities. Throughout the holding period, the portfolio generated steady income and delivered “meaningful value appreciation”, according to Arcapita’s statement. […]

Matein Khalid Wall Street’s strong bid is skating on macro thin ice as a government shutdown that reflects the toxic polarization in Congress looms. The latest PCE data shows that Powell’s fear for a tariff related uptick in inflation was well founded and Fed funds futures have narrowed the odds of a December rate cut to only 60%, which is perfectly rational given that the US economy […]

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0.1 percent of first-year regular premium equivalent from Family Takaful products launched after 1 August 2025 will be donated to the Community Chest of Singapore SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 September 2025 – Etiqa Insurance Singapore, the insurance arm of Maybank Group, today announced a charity pledge linked to the launch of its latest Takaful products. Invest purpose, a new Shariah-compliant investment-linked plan designed for […]

Bitcoin miners now hold approximately 1.8 million BTC, down from about 2.5 million in 2019—a shift that signals diminishing influence over the market and illustrates their evolving role in the ecosystem.

At their peak influence, miners were among the few entities controlling large pools of newly minted coins. Over time, however, many mining operators have adopted a business-like approach: periodically selling part of their mined yield to cover operational expenses, upgrade hardware, and manage liquidity. Those sales dilute their concentrated sway over supply movements.

On-chain data indicates miner outflows have shrunk sharply. CryptoQuant reports daily outflows dropped from 23,000 BTC in early 2025 to about 6,000 BTC in the most recent windows, with no extreme outflow days since February. Transfers from miner addresses to exchanges remain subdued, reinforcing the trend.

Despite dips in miner revenue—for example, daily earnings fell to about US$34 million in June—there is no evidence of forced liquidations. Instead, many miners are accumulating reserves while selectively monetising operations.

Publicly listed mining firms are increasingly decoupling their revenue streams from pure blockchain activity. CleanSpark, for instance, expanded a $100 million crypto-backed credit facility tied to its Coinbase holdings, with plans to fund growth across energy infrastructure and compute assets. Meanwhile, Cipher Mining struck a 10-year colocation deal with AI‐cloud provider Fluidstack, which could generate up to $3 billion in revenue over time and repurposes its infrastructure toward high-performance computing.

These developments reflect a broader industry evolution. With Paul’s halving in April 2024 slashing block rewards in half, miners now balance hash power growth against diminishing direct coin yield. To survive and scale, many operators are diversifying into hosting, AI, carbon credits, and “mining-as-a-service” models.

Smaller miners are under intense pressure. Rising energy costs, grid constraints, and compliance burdens marginalise those without scale or access to cheap power. Major operations are increasingly concentrated in jurisdictions with deregulated energy markets or surplus renewable capacity.

From a market impact perspective, miners’ strategic behaviour brings both stability and constraints. On one hand, their reduced dominance helps prevent supply shocks triggered by sudden bulk sales. On the other, their periodic selling still exerts friction on price rallies. Analysts suggest that sophisticated off-exchange OTC arrangements increasingly cloak miner sales, making their impact less visible but persistent.

Digital asset treasury firms, which raise capital to accumulate crypto assets on their balance sheets, are being reimagined by market analysts as possible long-term powerhouses akin to Berkshire Hathaway. Ryan Watkins, co-founder of Syncracy Capital, argues that the more successful of these firms—currently seen by many as speculative vehicles—could evolve into permanent capital engines that deploy resources, build operating businesses, and influence ecosystem governance.

These treasury firms already collectively manage over $105 billion in crypto holdings, across assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and others. Watkins emphasises that the largest winners will be those that transition from mere accumulation into diversified operations across staking, lending, infrastructure and enterprise investment.

The model diverges from traditional crypto “hoard and hope” strategies. Rather than simply acting as passive holders, Watkins projects that top-tier treasury companies will adopt a hybrid role: asset manager, growth investor, and operational builder. In his view, they may eventually resemble conglomerates that deploy capital into promising ventures, fund ecosystem projects, and re-invest profits strategically.

Some firms already reflect parts of this shift. MicroStrategy remains a benchmark, having raised capital through equity and convertible debt to purchase Bitcoin. As of mid-2025, dozens of public and private entities have announced intentions to create treasury arms or adopt treasury strategies. Firms are expanding beyond Bitcoin into Ethereum, Solana and other networks, seeking yield diversification.

A newly announced example is AVAX One, backed by Anthony Scaramucci and Hivemind Capital, which aims to raise $550 million to acquire AVAX tokens and expand into fintech and insurance acquisitions on the Avalanche network. This signals growing appetite for treasury firms to enter adjacent sectors and integrate vertically.

At the same time, regulatory and ethical challenges loom. Critics warn that some treasury firms may disguise self-dealing as capital deployment, favouring projects in which insiders hold undue influence. Without rigorous governance, the line between strategic investment and insider enrichment can blur.

Regulatory scrutiny is also emerging: authorities like the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission and FINRA have initiated probes into suspicious trading around announcements by publicly traded firms adopting crypto treasury plans, seeking to determine whether some investors benefitted from non-public disclosures. Meanwhile, treasury entities face pressure to provide transparency in reserves and audit practices, especially as they reassure investors about balance sheet integrity.

Bitcoin nudged higher overnight, trading around $109,448, as markets showed signs of stabilisation following a wave of forced liquidations across crypto derivatives.

Stock market information for Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a crypto in the CRYPTO market.
The price is 109448.0 USD currently with a change of 30.00 USD from the previous close.
The intraday high is 110305.0 USD and the intraday low is 108741.0 USD.

Ethereum outperformed, crossing the $4,000 threshold, while broader sentiment remains under strain amid macro uncertainty.

Crypto markets endured brutal deleveraging earlier in the week, with more than $1.5 billion in long positions wiped from derivatives across major tokens. Analysts report that Ether accounted for a significant share of that, prompting cascade liquidations in leveraged positions. Some firms with heavy Bitcoin exposure have seen their stock valuations collapse below the value of token holdings.

Investors tagged this as the sharpest deleveraging event of 2025, emphasising how excess leverage built up in recent months is being violently unwound. That same vulnerability leaves markets sensitive to any surprise in macro data or central bank commentary.

The immediate bounce in Bitcoin and Ether is viewed as corrective rather than structural—several traders suggest the market may trade sideways or drift lower unless fresh catalysts emerge. The rebound succeeded in erasing some losses, but resistance above $110,000 for Bitcoin and around $4,200 for Ether remained challenging.

The U. S. personal consumption expenditures index for August showed year-on-year inflation of 2.7%, broadly in line with expectations. That alignment suggests policymakers are threading a narrow path between supporting growth and avoiding inflation surprises. Some strategists believe the muted inflation reading reduces pressure on central banks to delay easing; others caution that sticky core inflation still leaves room for hawkish surprises.

Crypto sentiment has weakened sharply. The Fear & Greed Index plunged to levels last seen in mid-April, underscoring elevated trader anxiety. According to strategists, over $3 billion of leveraged long positions have been liquidated in the past few sessions, pushing the long-to-short ratio in many tokens toward one-to-nine. That extreme positioning could set the stage for short squeezes—but not without attendant risk.

On-chain flows hint at institutional accumulation, a counterpoint to retail panic. Ethereum has seen meaningful inflows tied to existing ETH ETFs, while some large wallets have made ETH-to-BTC swaps. That movement could reflect growing conviction in Ethereum as a structural play for DeFi and smart contract demand, rather than a pure speculative asset. But challenges remain: Ethereum’s fee-based economics have softened, and alternative chains are gaining traction in niche sectors.

Seasonal models bolster optimism toward the year-end. Historically, Bitcoin has delivered an average return of over 80 per cent in the final quarter, with November being the strongest month on record. Ether, though more volatile, also has a track record of strong Q4 performance. These patterns are not guarantees, but they influence positioning among quantitative funds.

Ethereum co-founder Jeffrey Wilcke has moved 1,500 ETH into the Kraken exchange, sparking debate over whether he plans further liquidations as the market faces renewed pressure. The transfer coincided with Ether’s slide below the $4,000 threshold.

Wilcke’s latest deposit comes less than a month after he offloaded ETH worth approximately $9 million, according to on-chain analytics. His known holdings still exceed 90,000 ETH, translating to a valuation above $350 million at current market rates.

Moving cryptocurrency into exchange wallets often suggests intent to sell, but it doesn’t guarantee action. Observers note this transaction fits Wilcke’s pattern of prior transfers, including earlier large deposits of 105,737 ETH and 9,840 ETH to Kraken. He has also reshuffled holdings across multiple wallets in the past — a tactic that clouds the true motive.

Ether’s price has lost ground recently, breaking technical support at $4,000. That drop has intensified concerns about downward momentum, amid warnings that failure to reclaim $4,841 could trigger a deeper pullback toward $2,750.

Yet the broader market tells a mixed story. Over the past two days, at least 15 whale wallets have acquired more than 406,000 ETH, sourcing tokens from major platforms including Kraken, Galaxy Digital, BitGo, and FalconX. That level of accumulation suggests some large holders see current prices as a buying opportunity.

The timing of Wilcke’s transfer coincided with Kraken’s own developments: the exchange announced a $500 million funding round, valuing it at $15 billion and laying groundwork for a prospective 2026 IPO. Some analysts have argued that Wilcke’s move could be a strategic internal adjustment ahead of market shifts rather than a direct sale.

Wilcke’s role in the Ethereum project dates back to its earliest years, notably in the development of Geth, the Go-based client now central to the network’s operations. Although he stepped back from core Ethereum development in 2018, he later founded Grid Games, a venture into online gaming. His pattern of wallet activity in recent years has drawn attention — transfers of tens or hundreds of thousands of ETH have periodically triggered speculation.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai-based lifestyle and hospitality conglomerate FIVE Holdings has secured a $460 million revolving credit facility that will be used to repay its $350 million green bond ahead of schedule and free up capital for further growth. The facility, arranged with Commercial Bank of Dubai, AAIB and Santander, enables the group to retire its green bond three years before it matures, leaving it with […]

Dubai’s engineering and construction powerhouse ALEC Holdings PJSC has fixed its IPO share price between AED 1.35 and AED 1.40, opening subscriptions for a 20 percent stake in the company. The offering will feature 1 billion existing shares, valuing the company at AED 6.75 billion to AED 7 billion at the time of listing. The subscription period began on 23 September and will close on 30 September […]

China is pursuing arrangements with allied central banks to store foreign sovereign gold within its territory, aiming to elevate its influence over global bullion holdings. The People’s Bank of China is deploying the Shanghai Gold Exchange as a vehicle to attract sovereign clients to park bullion inside China. At least one Southeast Asian country has expressed interest.

Officials involved say that the proposal involves central banks of “friendly” states buying gold and placing it in warehouses tied to the Shanghai Gold Exchange. This builds on China’s strategy of diversifying reserves and enhancing its status in global bullion markets.

China’s own gold holdings are growing steadily. As of July, its official international reserves included approximately 73.96 million ounces of gold, up from 73.9 million the month before. That marks nine months of continuous growth. At that point gold accounted for about 7% of China’s foreign reserves—well below the global average of around 15%. Analysts said China is likely to continue buying gold while moderately reducing holdings of US Treasuries, both to strengthen the renminbi’s international standing and mitigate exposure to dollar-linked risks.

Gold-buying by China fits into a larger global trend among central banks. Many are raising their allocation to gold as a hedge against geopolitical risks, inflation, and the uncertainty of reliance on major foreign currencies. Market watchers note that China’s moves are consistent with efforts from BRICS countries to build financial infrastructure and reserve mechanisms less dependent on dollar-centred systems.

For China, becoming a custodian for others’ gold reserves would represent a significant shift. It would mean not only controlling its own gold supply but also offering vaulting, storage, and custodial services to foreign sovereign clients. Such an arrangement would involve regulatory, security, and diplomatic considerations—from ensuring physical security of bullion to managing compliance with international rules around audits, transparency, and cross-border transfers.

Questions remain about how much demand exists among sovereigns for such an arrangement. The identity of the Southeast Asian country showing interest has not been confirmed. Some central banks prefer keeping reserves offshore for perceived neutrality or diversification of geographic risk. Others may hesitate due to concerns over sovereignty, geopolitical leverage, or storage fees and logistics.

China’s global gold purchases continue regardless. Observers point to continued accumulation of gold by the People’s Bank of China, a trend seen in the State Administration of Foreign Exchange data. Gold holdings have increased month after month, even as foreign exchange reserves fluctuate.

VFS Global has launched a $2 billion-equivalent term loan facility, securing markedly tighter pricing for its seven-year dollar and euro tranches. The USD portion of $1.010 billion is priced at 250 basis points above the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, about 50bps lower than initially suggested. The euro tranche, amounting to €850 million, carries a spread of 275bps over Euribor, which represents a tightening of around 25bps from […]

Crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy, has asserted that Ripple’s XRP possesses potential to rival Bitcoin’s dominance—not in every metric, but in overall market influence and growth. He argues that while Bitcoin remains unmatched on decentralisation and brand recognition, XRP may outpace Bitcoin in return-on-investment and adoption under certain conditions.

Armstrong points to several factors he believes could drive XRP forward: its far faster transaction settlement times, its emerging use for cross-border payments, and increasing interest from both retail and institutional investors. He acknowledges these victories come with drawbacks—particularly XRP’s higher centralisation compared with Bitcoin, given significant holdings of its supply are controlled by Ripple.

He describes market capitalisation as one pathway for competition, noting that XRP lags far behind Bitcoin’s more than US$2 trillion valuation. Nevertheless, he suggests that XRP could narrow that gap by capitalising on regulatory improvements and product developments in the crypto space. He cited possibilities such as exchange-traded funds for XRP and Ripple’s potential corporate moves that could boost legitimacy.

Comparisons with Ethereum form a large part of Armstrong’s argument. He has predicted that XRP may overtake Ethereum in market cap, saying Ethereum’s role in decentralised finance gives it current strength but also comes with trade-offs in efficiency and scalability. XRP, in his view, may benefit from being lighter in overhead, and more directly applicable in payment systems. Critics, however, highlight that Ethereum’s developer ecosystem, DeFi dominance, and smart contract utility are powerful advantages that XRP must overcome.

Recent legal developments related to Ripple have itself affected XRP’s trajectory. Armstrong notes that favourable rulings, greater regulatory clarity in jurisdictions like the US, and growing institutional interest are enhancing investor confidence. He also emphasises that the narrative around cryptocurrency regulation is shifting, which could favour assets like XRP that are often under scrutiny.

On price forecasts, Armstrong has offered a range of scenarios: gains ranging from three-fold to much higher depending on whether certain catalysts—such as regulatory approvals or ETF launches—unfold as hoped. He cautions that for XRP to truly rival Bitcoin, sustained momentum must be maintained over a multi-year horizon, not just in speculative bursts.

Alec Holdings is set to list about 20% of its shares in an initial public offering on the Dubai Financial Market, while Binghatti Holding is preparing for a possible IPO, as both seek to harness surging demand in Dubai’s real estate sector. These moves reflect growing confidence among developers and investors in a rapidly expanding market. Alec, wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, will offer […]

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 September 2025 – VinFast has officially announced a strategic partnership with the Arabian Automobile Association (AAA), a leading provider of vehicle support services in the Middle East, to launch comprehensive roadside assistance for VinFast customers across six countries: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in VinFast’s ongoing […]

Prosus NV has raised its holding in Urban Company Ltd to 7.35 per cent, after acquiring roughly an additional 4 percentage points by investing about $139 million, ahead of the home services startup’s Initial Public Offering. This move positions Prosus as one of Urban Company’s largest shareholders and signals strong institutional faith in the firm’s prospects.

Urban Company’s IPO drew overwhelming demand — it was subscribed over 103 times — and its shares listed at a premium of about 57.5 per cent over the issue price on the National Stock Exchange, opening at ₹162.25 versus the ₹103 issue price. The listing surged the company’s market valuation to nearly $2.8 billion.

According to Ashutosh Sharma, head of Prosus India Ecosystem, the firm increased its stake during the IPO allotment. Prosus first backed Urban Company in 2021; this latest acquisition underscores its continued appetite for stakes in Indian startups with domestic consumer and service-led business models.

Urban Company, founded in 2014 by Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Varun Khaitan, and Raghav Chandra, operates across home services such as beauty, cleaning, appliance repair and plumbing. It has expanded into over 50 cities in India and also operates in international markets including UAE and Singapore. The company reported strong financial performance in its fiscal year ending 2025, with revenue growth of around 36 per cent year-on-year and its first net profit of approximately ₹239–₹240 crore.

Investor enthusiasm was evident in the IPO process. Qualified Institutional Buyers led the subscription with particularly strong bids. The grey market premium, which reflects expectations ahead of listing, had risen to over 50 per cent above the issue price, signalling investor confidence in an upward listing trajectory.

Prosus’s move comes amid a broader trend of institutional investors increasing their exposure to Indian startups ahead of IPOs, particularly those in consumer-facing, service-oriented sectors. Earlier urban and tech-led listings have attracted robust demand, and IPOs that show solid unit economics—strong margins, revenue growth, steps toward profit—are being favoured by capital.

Urban Company’s stock market debut saw a steep rise: the shares not only opened with a 57.5 per cent premium on NSE, but trading surged further, reflecting both investor optimism and perceived underpricing in its IPO offer.

Prosus, headquartered in the Netherlands and known for its early stake in Tencent Holdings, has invested over $8-9 billion in the Indian startup ecosystem. It has backed firms such as Swiggy, Meesho, and PayU. Its amplified investment in Urban Company exemplifies a strategy of anchoring bets on firms that combine growth potential with improving financial metrics.

Nasdaq has mandated that listed companies obtain shareholder approval before issuing new shares to acquire cryptocurrencies, and must disclose fuller justifications and risk assessments for large-scale crypto purchases.

The exchange’s enhanced oversight aims to guard investors, particularly retail traders, from underestimating the high volatility and speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. Companies must now explain why they are buying substantial amounts of crypto and articulate the associated financial, regulatory and market‐risk implications.

Under the new requirements, issued by Nasdaq earlier this month, firms proposing to issue equity to raise funds for crypto purchases must secure affirmative vote from their shareholders. Non‐compliance may result in trading suspension or delisting. Nasdaq is also tightening disclosure obligations: entities must show how much crypto they hold, the rationale for those holdings, and how they plan to manage the risks.

Architect Partners reports that over 120 US‐listed companies have announced plans to raise more than US$130-billion this year for cryptocurrency acquisitions, nearly 100 of which are listed on Nasdaq. Many of these firms have adopted “crypto-treasury” strategies—allocating a significant portion of their balance sheets to digital assets. Some high-profile companies have already attracted scrutiny for the size of their holdings and for the effects on shareholder dilution.

Nasdaq justifies the changes by citing investor protection. Wholesale accumulation of crypto assets can dramatically affect stock price volatility. There is concern that some retail investors may not fully grasp how crypto’s price swings, regulatory uncertainty or tax treatment risk hurting returns, or causing losses.

Critics worry the new rules could slow innovation or deter companies considering crypto exposure. Companies accustomed to quickly buying digital assets may face delays because shareholder voting cycles are time-consuming and costly. Some argue that imposing blanket rules could punish well-prepared firms that already maintain strong governance, transparency, and risk controls.

Regulators such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have been increasing pressure on exchanges and firms around crypto disclosures, anti‐fraud measure and governance. Nasdaq’s move aligns with broader regulatory momentum in financial markets toward more oversight of firms with substantial crypto exposure.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2025 – After trading hours on 15 September 2025, DL Holdings Group Limited (HKEX: 1709) announced a major strategic cooperation with Fortune Peak Limited. DL Holdings will acquire the latest-generation, top-efficiency Bitcoin mining machines via the issuance of Convertible Bonds, fully entering the Bitcoin mining sector with the aim of becoming the Hong Kong capital market’s leader […]

Harare has been thrust into the spotlight over severe human rights violations linked to mining operations, as watchdog groups and local activists issue alarming reports of forced displacement, environmental destruction and labour abuse. The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition has accused mining firms and state actors of orchestrating “grave human rights violations” against residents in mining regions. These include evictions without proper compensation, widespread water and air pollution, […]

Eshraq Investments has struck sale and purchase agreements totalling AED 264 million with Blue Lake Properties and Al Ain Properties to dispose of several land plots on Al Reem Island. The move forms part of its strategy to monetise land holdings and respond to mounting financial losses.

The sale takes place in prime zones of Al Reem Island adjacent to Al Maryah Island and inside the jurisdiction of the Abu Dhabi Global Market, locations particularly attractive to developers seeking centrality and regulatory stability. The agreements bolster Eshraq’s land monetisation drive, which has become a priority as the company seeks to improve its financial footing.

Financial filings show that accumulated losses for the first half of 2025 reached AED 484.85 million, equal to 18.05% of Eshraq’s capital. That marks an improvement from a loss of AED 526.55 million at the end of 2024, helped by gains from independent valuations of assets held by Goldilocks Investments, which rose by AED 55.14 million during the same period.

Goldilocks, a key non-core investment, had its net investment value boosted to AED 827.70 million as at 30 June 2025, up from AED 772.56 million in December 2024, offering some cushion against Eshraq’s operating losses.

In its first quarter of 2025, Eshraq reported a net loss of AED 27.03 million, a sharp decline from AED 306.05 million in the same period of 2024. Revenue across its portfolio has faltered, prompting management to accelerate the disposal or development of under-utilised land.

Industry observers note that investor appetite for Al Reem Island remains strong, driven by its proximity to key business hubs, relatively favourable regulatory environment, and demand for residential and mixed‐use projects. The sale with Blue Lake and Al Ain Properties underscores that even amidst financial pressure, prime real estate in central Abu Dhabi retains market confidence.

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