Tether’s Strategic Gold-Backed Move Signals Strong Confidence in Bitcoin’s Future

In a significant development for the cryptocurrency sector, Tether Investments, an affiliate of Tether Group, has acquired a 31.9% stake in Elemental Altus Royalties Corp., a Canadian gold-focused royalty firm, for approximately $89.2 million. This strategic investment, executed at 1.55 CAD per share, highlights Tether's commitment to anchoring its digital asset ecosystem to real-world, stable assets like gold and Bitcoin. The move is seen as a bullish signal for the future of Bitcoin, as it underscores the growing trend of integrating traditional assets with digital currencies to enhance stability and investor confidence. As of July 2025, this development is expected to further solidify Bitcoin's position as a leading asset in the financial markets, driven by its increasing adoption and the backing of tangible assets.

Tether Acquires 32% Stake in Elemental Altus to Bolster Gold-Backed Asset Strategy

Tether Investments, an affiliate of Tether Group, has acquired a 31.9% stake in Elemental Altus Royalties Corp., a Canadian gold-focused royalty firm, for approximately $89.2 million. The deal, executed at 1.55 CAD per share, underscores Tether's commitment to anchoring its digital asset ecosystem to real-world, stable assets like gold and Bitcoin.

The strategic investment aligns with Tether's broader vision to diversify its stablecoin reserves and expand support for hard asset-backed financial products. By securing nearly one-third of Elemental Altus's outstanding shares, Tether reinforces its position in the Gold market while enhancing the infrastructure for its digital token offerings.

GameStop Expands Convertible Note Offering to $2.25B Amid Crypto Pivot

GameStop has increased its planned convertible note offering to $2.25 billion, up from an initial $1.75 billion, with an option for buyers to purchase an additional $450 million. The notes, which are non-interest-bearing and due in 2032, will be sold privately to institutional investors. Proceeds, estimated at $2.23 billion after fees, are earmarked for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions and investments.

The move follows GameStop's April sale, where it raised $1.5 billion and allocated $512 million to purchase 4,710 Bitcoin. While the company hasn't confirmed further BTC buys, its aggressive shift toward digital assets continues as core retail revenues decline. Shares dropped 20% on the initial announcement and another 5% as investors weighed dilution risks and the crypto strategy.

GameStop joins a growing list of public companies accumulating Bitcoin, reflecting a broader institutional embrace of crypto assets. The offering is expected to close on June 17.

Bitcoin Slides 5% as Middle East Tensions Escalate

Bitcoin tumbled sharply in early trading Friday, shedding 5% of its value after Israel launched military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The digital asset dropped from a local high of $108,000 to approximately $102,000 as investors reassessed its safe-haven status amid geopolitical turmoil.

Oil markets reacted violently to the escalation, with Brent and WTI crude benchmarks surging over 10%. Traders cited concerns about potential disruptions to Gulf energy supplies should Iran retaliate against Israel or target U.S. military positions in the region. Gold, the traditional refuge asset, posted modest gains of about 1%.

The Israeli operation, codenamed Rising Lion, struck dozens of targets across Iran including uranium enrichment infrastructure at Natanz. Iranian state media confirmed casualties among senior military and nuclear officials. The International Atomic Energy Agency has begun monitoring radiation levels at affected sites.

Bitcoin Tests Critical Support Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty

Bitcoin's price has dipped below the crucial $102.8K support level as escalating tensions in the Middle East inject volatility into global markets. Israeli air strikes on Iran have exacerbated geopolitical risks, triggering a wave of liquidations exceeding $1.1 billion across crypto markets.

Traditional markets echo the stress—S&P 500 futures fell 1.9%, while haven assets like gold and crude oil rallied. Despite the sell-off, Bitcoin's history of resilience suggests potential for recovery. The daily chart shows an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, typically bullish, though confirmation requires holding current support levels.

Three consecutive bearish daily candles have erased prior gains, leaving BTC at a technical inflection point. A rebound could propel prices toward $105K, while failure to hold support may deepen losses. The market's response will test whether recent pressures are transient or signal sustained weakness.

Thai Police Arrest Chinese Suspect in $6.1 Million Bitcoin Fraud Case

Thai immigration police apprehended Chinese national Tianwei at Don Mueang Airport on June 12 as he attempted to flee to Singapore. The arrest stems from allegations of a $6.15 million Bitcoin theft following a failed business deal in Chiang Rai.

Authorities acted on an April complaint and a May 16 warrant after the suspect vanished from the transaction. This case joins a growing list of Asian crypto fraud incidents, including high-profile investigations in Vietnam and India.

The arrest occurred during a 6 a.m. boarding attempt, concluding a month-long manhunt. Intelligence reports had flagged the suspect's potential escape route, prompting coordinated action with immigration officials.

Three Reasons Why Bitcoin Could Hit $200k By The End of 2025

Bitcoin's price dipped below $104,000 amid geopolitical tensions, shedding 4% in 24 hours after Israel's strike on Iranian nuclear sites triggered a market-wide liquidation of $636 million. Despite short-term bearish pressure, analysts remain bullish on a $200,000 target by year-end, citing institutional accumulation and post-halving supply constraints.

Corporate treasuries across the U.S., Europe, and Japan are increasingly allocating to BTC, creating sustained buy-side pressure. Miner sell pressure remains muted at approximately 500 BTC daily—a fractional share of post-halving emission rates. "This is crypto's golden moment," notes CoinMarketCap's Alice Liu, emphasizing macroeconomic catalysts driving mainstream capital toward digital assets.