Source: Rolling Stone
David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. and a prominent crypto advisor to former President Donald Trump, has embarked on an ambitious new venture. Bailey has successfully raised $300 million to launch Nakamoto, a publicly traded bitcoin investment company, aiming to capitalize on the growing interest in digital assets and the increasing influence of cryptocurrencies in global finance.
The newly established company, Nakamoto, is named in tribute to the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto. The venture represents a significant leap forward in the institutional adoption of Bitcoin. The company’s primary focus will be acquiring and holding Bitcoin, with plans to merge with an existing Nasdaq-listed company by mid-2025. This merger, expected to be announced next week, will facilitate the company’s public listing, scheduled for summer 2025.
The funding for Nakamoto comprises $200 million in equity and $100 million in convertible debt, structured to optimize financial stability and growth potential. This financing strategy mirrors that of other successful bitcoin-focused firms that have raised substantial funds to hold Bitcoin as a long-term asset.
Nakamoto is set to go beyond mere Bitcoin acquisition. The company plans to purchase businesses worldwide, focusing on regions like Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa. By investing Bitcoin into these companies, Nakamoto aims to leverage the global market dynamics and increase its investment portfolio's diversification. Prominent investors and influential advisory board members back the initiative, signaling confidence in the company's strategic vision.
Bailey’s bold move follows in the footsteps of other notable ventures in the crypto space. For instance, Jack Mallers, the founder of the Strike payments app, recently secured multi-billion-dollar investments for his firm Twenty One. Supported by SoftBank and Tether, Twenty One aims to provide a balanced approach to investing, combining significant initial capital with the potential for Bitcoin-denominated returns.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) popularized the model of converting cash reserves into Bitcoin. Since 2020, the company has transitioned into a quasi-Bitcoin holding firm, with its stock price closely tied to Bitcoin’s valuation. Similarly, Nakamoto’s model aims to combine robust capital inflow with the strategic acquisition of Bitcoin-focused assets.
Bitcoin investment companies are increasingly using a blend of equity and debt to purchase and hold large quantities of Bitcoin. This approach turns their stock into a proxy investment for Bitcoin itself, offering traditional investors a more accessible route to cryptocurrency exposure.
Nakamoto’s upcoming merger and public listing reflect a growing appetite among institutional investors to gain direct exposure to Bitcoin. As Bitcoin's global adoption increases, firms like Nakamoto and Twenty One are positioning themselves to be at the forefront of this financial revolution.
David Bailey’s strategic entry into the Bitcoin investment space underscores the asset’s shifting role from speculative investment to a legitimate financial instrument. As Nakamoto prepares for its public debut, the crypto community and traditional investors alike are keenly watching. With backing from prominent investors and a well-defined strategy, Nakamoto is set to be a significant player in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency investments.