Key Takeaways
- Technology and financial firms continue to load up on Bitcoin as the digital asset has fallen from its new all-time high.
- Mara Holdings, BlackRock, and Semlar Scientific have been bolstering their Bitcoin holdings.
- BlackRock’s total Bitcoin holdings currently sit at $46.9 billion
BlackRock, Mara Holdings (MARA), and Semlar Scientific have flocked to buy more Bitcoin (BTC) as the world’s largest digital asset slid from $103,000 to $90,000.
The companies have recently bolstered their Bitcoin holdings and reported strong yields, underscoring their commitment to the digital asset.
MARA Buys More Bitcoin
MARA, previously Marathon Digital, acquired another 1,423 on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The move follows the Bitcoin miner closing its $850 million convertible note offering just the day before.
MARA estimates that the net proceeds from the sale of the notes will be approximately $835.1 million, or approximately $982.5 million, if initial purchasers exercise their full option.
The Bitcoin miner said it plans to use $48 million of the funds to repurchase approximately $51 million of its outstanding 2026 convertible notes.
MARA previously purchased 6,474 BTC for over $600 million at the end of November.
BlackRock
At the same time, investment giant BlackRock bought 7,750 Bitcoin as its spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) continued to be purchased from buyers.
The company’s total Bitcoin holdings currently sits at $46.9 billion, according to Arkham data.
As per SoSoValue, the asset manager’s IBIT BTC ETF had $51 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Thomas Fahrer, founder of crypto stats firm Apollo, posted on X: “Fastest growing ETF EVER.”
BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) overtook the company’s Gold Trust in net assets last week, with Bitcoin exceeding the gold’s ETF worth of $32 billion.
Semler Scientific
Semler Scientific (SMLR), a leader in developing technology solutions for healthcare providers addressing chronic diseases, said that, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 4, it acquired 303 bitcoins for $29.3 million, at an average price of $96,779 per bitcoin.
As of Dec. 4, 2024, the company held 1,873 bitcoins, with a total acquisition cost of $147.1 million at an average purchase price of $78,553 per bitcoin.
“We are very pleased to report BTC Yield of 78.7%,” said Eric Semler, chairman of Semler Scientific. “In addition, we have requested approval from the options exchanges to allow options trading in our stock as we believe we satisfy their eligibility requirements.”
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
