Norway’s $1.6 trillion wealth fund boosts indirect Bitcoin exposure by 192% in Q2 2025

  • NBIM now holds the equivalent of 7,161 BTC through listed equities.
  • Institutional interest in Bitcoin grows through ETFs and corporate holdings.
  • The move may signal early stages of sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the largest in the world, has taken a significant step into the cryptocurrency market, increasing its Bitcoin (BTC) exposure by 192% during the second quarter of 2025.

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), which manages the country’s $1.6 trillion oil-funded portfolio, expanded its holdings from the equivalent of 2,446 BTC from the June quarter in 2024 to 7,161 BTC.

The move underscores a broader shift among institutional investors who are using publicly listed equities and ETFs to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market without holding digital assets directly.

Bitcoin exposure rises through equities and ETFs

NBIM’s largest Bitcoin exposure comes via its stake in MicroStrategy (MSTR), the biggest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency. The fund also initiated a smaller position equivalent to 200 BTC in Japan-based Metaplanet.

These holdings are reflected in the fund’s Q2 2025 13F filings, which track institutional investments in US-listed companies.

The data, compiled by analysts, highlights NBIM’s increased allocation to Bitcoin-linked equities during a period of growing global interest in the asset class.

Sovereign wealth funds are typically known for their conservative, long-term investment strategies, making this level of exposure notable.

Institutional participation strengthens

The move by NBIM comes amid rising institutional adoption of Bitcoin, driven in part by strong inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and increased corporate interest.

These products have made it easier for large investors to gain exposure without managing the complexities of digital asset custody.

Industry analysts note that sovereign wealth funds and large pension managers are beginning to explore Bitcoin as part of diversified long-term portfolios.

While NBIM has not publicly commented on its decision, the timing aligns with Bitcoin’s steady price gains over the past quarter, supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions and increased demand.

Strategic hedge potential

For NBIM, the Bitcoin allocation remains a small portion of its total assets, but it may serve as a hedge against currency debasement and geopolitical risks.

Such positioning reflects a growing recognition among large investors that Bitcoin could play a role in risk-adjusted portfolio diversification.

The increase also follows a global trend where state-backed investment vehicles cautiously test exposure to emerging asset classes, particularly those viewed as potential stores of value.

If this allocation pattern continues, the participation of sovereign funds could have a meaningful impact on Bitcoin’s market liquidity and institutional legitimacy.

Broader implications for sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption

The developments at NBIM may signal the early stages of more widespread sovereign-backed Bitcoin adoption.

Although the current exposure is small relative to the size of the fund, the scale of sovereign wealth fund capital means even incremental moves can influence market dynamics.

As other funds monitor NBIM’s strategy, institutional activity in Bitcoin-linked assets could increase further.

For the cryptocurrency market, these flows represent a structural change in the investor base, moving beyond retail speculation to long-term, strategic capital from the world’s largest pools of wealth.

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Bitcoin hits new all-time high as Fed easing bets and favorable US policy align

  • Bitcoin smashes its record, climbing to a new all-time high of $124,002.
  • Hopes for a significant Federal Reserve rate cut are fueling the rally.
  • A new executive order opens the door for crypto in 401(k) retirement plans.

Bitcoin blasted through to a new all-time high on Thursday, as a perfect storm of roaring optimism over Federal Reserve policy and a series of powerful pro-crypto reforms converged to send the digital asset into uncharted territory.

The move signals a dramatic new phase for a market that has been supercharged by a seismic shift in the US political and regulatory landscape.

In early Asian trading, the world’s largest cryptocurrency climbed as much as 0.9% to touch $124,002.49, decisively surpassing the previous peak it set in July.

The tidal wave of buying lifted the broader market, with the second−largest token, Ether, surging to 4,780.04—its highest level since the bull market of late 2021.

The three-pronged catalyst: Fed, institutions, and the White House

This record-setting rally isn’t a random surge; it’s being powered by a clear confluence of forces.

According to IG market analyst Tony Sycamore, Bitcoin’s momentum is a direct result of “increasing certainty of Fed rate cuts, sustained institutional buying and moves by the Trump administration to ease investment in crypto assets.” 

The technical picture is now just as bullish, with Sycamore noting that a decisive move could open the floodgates for a much larger run. “Technically a sustained break above $125k could propel BTC to $150,000,” he wrote in a note.

The ‘crypto president’ and the $1.6 trillion surge

Since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the regulatory environment in the United States has transformed from hostile to overtly favorable.

Trump has proudly labeled himself the “crypto president,” and a series of long-sought regulatory wins for the industry have followed throughout 2025, from the passage of landmark stablecoin regulations to a broader overhaul by the securities regulator to accommodate digital assets.

The market impact of this policy pivot has been staggering. Bitcoin itself has risen nearly 32% so far in 2025.

More broadly, the entire crypto sector’s market capitalization has ballooned from about $2.5 trillion in November 2024, when Trump won the election, to over $4.18 trillion today, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Unlocking retirement billions: the 401(k) game-changer

The latest and perhaps most significant tailwind came from an executive order signed last week on Thursday.

The order paved the way for crypto assets to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts, a move that could unlock a colossal new wave of mainstream capital for the asset class.

This is not just a win for investors; it’s a potential boon for asset management giants like BlackRock and Fidelity, whose crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could become staples of American retirement planning.

However, this push into long-term savings is not without its perils.

The very volatility that creates spectacular rallies also poses significant risks, especially for retirement accounts that have historically relied on the relative stability of stocks and bonds.

For now, though, the market is firmly focused on the upside, celebrating a new era of legitimacy that has sent its leading asset to heights once thought unreachable.

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Altcoins soar, Bitcoin stalls as Fed rate cut speculation hits fever pitch

A simmering crypto rally boiled over into a full-blown frenzy during late US trading hours on Tuesday, after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent dropped a bombshell suggestion that sent shockwaves through the market: the Federal Reserve should consider an aggressive 50 basis point rate cut.

His words acted like rocket fuel for risk assets, unleashing a powerful new leg higher for altcoins while leaving Bitcoin watching from the sidelines.

The market-moving comments came during an interview on Fox News, where Bessent openly questioned the central bank’s next move. 

“The real thing now to think about is should we get a 50 basis-point rate cut in September,” Bessent stated. He went further, criticizing the central bank’s information-gathering process, adding that the Fed could have cut rates as early as June if it had been given accurate data, which he described as a “foundational issue.”

The Bessent fffect: unleashing the bulls

While markets had already almost fully baked in a standard 25 basis point cut for September, the mere mention of a 50-point move from a figure of Bessent’s stature completely reset expectations.

Although the Treasury Secretary is not a member of the Federal Reserve, his words carry immense weight.

President Trump has tasked him with leading the search for a replacement for current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, making his views a potential preview of the central bank’s future policy direction.

The reaction was immediate and fierce. Ether (ETH), already enjoying a positive day, blasted higher, surging nearly 9% over the past 24 hours to trade above $4,600 for the first time since the heady days of November 2021.

An altcoin affair

This was emphatically an altcoin-driven rally. Other major cryptocurrencies joined the surge, with Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), and Litecoin (LTC) each rocketing ahead by about 8%. XRP also caught a bid, rising 3.5%.

This flood of capital into digital assets mirrored a rally in equity markets, which climbed more than 1%, while the dollar weakened against all major currencies.

Conspicuously absent from the party were the Bitcoin bulls.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency remained largely unchanged, hovering around the $120,000 mark, suggesting traders were selectively deploying capital into assets perceived to have more immediate upside in a “risk-on” environment.

The stage for this dramatic late-day surge had been set earlier on Tuesday morning. The initial spark for the rally came after new data showed US consumer prices in July rising roughly in line with economist estimates, providing a sigh of relief.

But it was Bessent’s unexpected words that turned that sigh of relief into a roar of speculative excitement.

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Bitcoin price forecast: BTC price steadies as long-term holder selloff cools

  • Long-term holder (LTH) selloffs cool, easing Bitcoin price selling pressure.
  • BTC price holds above $116,817 despite rejection near $122K.
  • CPI data may decide the next major BTC price move.

Bitcoin price forecast shows BTC price steadying as long-term holder selloffs cool.

Meanwhile, traders are watching on-chain flows and macro prints for signs of the next directional move.

Long-term holders’ selloff cools

Long-term holders have materially reduced daily sales, and consequently, the market has seen a clear shift toward holding.

According to on-chain data, daily LTH sales slipped below $1 billion in August, after averaging above that threshold in July, and this shift has removed a notable chunk of selling pressure.

Moreover, the reduced flow of coins to exchanges, according to Coinglass, has coincided with renewed accumulation, which in turn supports a calmer BTC price near current range levels.

On-chain evidence points to accumulation

Binary Coin Days Destroyed has dropped toward zero, signalling that older coins are not moving and therefore are being held longer.

Bitcoin Binary CDD chart.

Additionally, the Fund Flow Ratio sits at unusually low levels, around 0.057, and this suggests fewer assets are being sent to exchanges.

Consequently, spot market net inflows — including a recent $51 million buy day after a $242 million sell-off on August 10 — reinforce that demand is returning more steadily than before.

Triangle breakout holds, but risks remain

Technically, Bitcoin broke upward from a triangle and remains above the $116,817 breakout threshold, which means momentum is still intact.

However, recent attempts to clear $122,000 ended with a rejection and a “gravestone” doji candlestick, and hence, traders note that the path to a new ATH may not be smooth.

Bitcoin price chart analysis

Meanwhile, a CME futures gap near $117K and four-hour 200MA/EMA confluence add short-term technical magnetism that could invite retests before any sustained push higher.

CPI and Fed policy could tilt the scales

Macro catalysts are front and centre because upcoming US CPI figures influence rate-cut expectations and dollar strength.

If core inflation prints higher than expected — for example, near 3.1% — then Fed-cut odds for September would likely decline, and as a result BTC price may face pressure.

Conversely, a softer CPI near 2.9% would boost rate-cut prospects, weaken the dollar, and likely favour renewed upside for crypto and BTC price momentum.

Two plausible paths for Bitcoin traders

On the bullish path, continued LTH holding, steady capital inflows, and a break above recent highs could carry BTC to new discovery above $123,000 and into a $120K–$125K zone.

On the bearish path, a confirmed distribution phase — as some Wyckoff-analysing traders warn — could open a markdown toward the $92K–$95K area, and therefore, traders must respect risk controls.

Thus, momentum and macro prints will decide whether the market grinds higher or re-enters a corrective phase.

Bitcoin price forecast: What traders should watch

Watch whether BTC holds $116,817 and whether exchange inflows remain subdued, because these are immediate signs of supply drying up.

Also, monitor short-term technical confluence at the CME gap near $117K and the reaction to CPI data, since both can trigger quick directional moves.

While sentiment includes bullish voices like the co-founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel, who sees structural undervaluation, traders should remain nimble and factor in both upside targets and downside scenarios.

The current Bitcoin forecast balances improved on-chain accumulation against near-term macro risk, and this equilibrium shapes the prevailing BTC price outlook.

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Bitcoin eases from $122,000 high on profit-taking; CPI report looms

  • Bitcoin’s push toward new records was stopped by profit-taking, causing a price retreat from a high of $122,200 back to $118,500.
  • A technical gap in the CME futures market between $117,430 and $119,000 has created a potential target for a short-term price pullback.
  • Upcoming US inflation data, particularly the CPI, is considered the week’s most significant catalyst for potential market volatility.

A promising overnight surge that propelled Bitcoin within sight of new records was cut short by a wave of profit-taking, pulling the leading cryptocurrency back and setting a cautious tone for the week.

The market now holds its breath, caught between the allure of all-time highs and the looming shadow of critical economic data that could ignite significant price swings.

After reaching a session high of $122,200, Bitcoin (BTC) saw its momentum fade, retreating 2.8% to land at $118,500.

Despite the pullback, the digital asset remained slightly positive over a 24-hour period.

In the broader crypto market, Ether (ETH) maintained its position above the $4,200 mark, while major altcoins such as Solana’s SOL (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Sui’s native token (SUI) experienced modest dips of 3%-4%.

One technical indicator drawing considerable attention from traders is a “gap” left in the CME futures market, which, unlike the 24/7 crypto market, operates only on weekdays.

This created a void between Friday’s closing price of $117,430 and Monday’s higher open at $119,000.[3] James Van Straten, senior analyst at CoinDesk, noted that historical precedent suggests Bitcoin often retraces to “fill” such gaps.

“History suggests that BTC could pull back to revisit and ‘fill’ that gap,” he said.

Economic crosswinds

The market’s next significant directional move may well be dictated by macroeconomic forces.

The release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Tuesday, followed by Producer Price Index (PPI) data, is circled on every trader’s calendar.

These inflation reports are critical as they heavily influence the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy, which in turn impacts investor appetite for risk assets like Bitcoin.

This sentiment was echoed by analysts at the crypto exchange Bitfinex, who believe the continuation of Bitcoin’s momentum is contingent on these US economic reports.

“With market sensitivity to macro events running high, traders should prepare for increased volatility and the possibility of a retracement toward $110,000 in the near term,” the Bitfinex analysts wrote in a Monday market report.

They added, “We believe that the ranging conditions and oscillation between the range highs and lows will continue, since price is constantly moving above and below the cost-basis of fresh buyers allowing for charged sentiments around key macro data releases.”

A rally built on shaky ground?

Beneath the surface of the recent price surge, however, are signs that the rally lacked broad-based participation. In a recent report, the analytics firm Glassnode described the sharp rebound from below $114,000 as a shift from “seller exhaustion to a strong rebound near recent ATHs.”

Yet, this recovery was not accompanied by a surge in spot market buying.

Glassnode data revealed that spot trading volumes actually fell by 22% to $5.7 billion, a figure near the statistical low, suggesting the upward price movement was driven more by strategic “positioning shifts than deep conviction buying.”

While a metric known as the Spot Cumulative Volume Delta flipped 94% toward buy pressure—a sign that aggressive selling has subsided—it also points to renewed demand from a narrow base of traders rather than a widespread market rush.

On the institutional front, the data presents a mixed, albeit slightly optimistic, picture. Outflows from US-listed spot bitcoin ETFs were halved, dropping to $311 million from $686 million in the preceding week, offering some relief.

Even so, the total trade volume for these ETFs saw a 27.7% decline to $13.7 billion, indicating that overall activity remains subdued and close to its low band.

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