Riot Platforms Achieves Record Bitcoin Production and Operational Efficiency in May 2025
Riot Platforms (RIOT) has reported a significant surge in Bitcoin production for May 2025, mining 514 BTC—an 11% increase from April and a staggering 139% year-over-year growth. The company sold nearly all of its newly minted Bitcoin, generating $51.3 million at an average price of $102,591 per token. Additionally, Riot Platforms achieved a hashrate of 35.4 exahashes per second, marking a 5% monthly and 142% annual improvement. Operational efficiency also saw notable enhancements, with reduced energy consumption. These developments underscore Riot's strong position in the Bitcoin mining sector and its potential for future growth.
Riot Platforms Reports Significant Growth in Bitcoin Production and Expansion Plans
Riot Platforms (RIOT) showcased robust growth in May, mining 514 BTC—an 11% increase from April and a 139% surge year-over-year. The company sold nearly all newly minted bitcoin, generating $51.3 million at an average price of $102,591 per token.
Hashrate climbed to 35.4 exahashes per second, up 5% monthly and 142% annually. Operational efficiency improved markedly, with energy consumption dropping to 21.2 joules per terahash from 28 J/TH in May 2023.
The miner is diversifying into AI and high-performance computing, acquiring 355 acres NEAR its Texas facility for hyperscale data centers. Newly appointed Chief Data Center Officer Jonathan Gibbs will lead this strategic pivot.
RIOT shares gained 3.4% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in its dual-path growth strategy.
MARA Holdings Stock Rises to $15 as Bitcoin Production Jumps 35% in May
MARA Holdings (MARA) shares climbed 4.46% to $15 in early trading on June 3 after reporting a record-breaking 950 BTC mined in May—a 35% surge from April's output. The company's proprietary MARA Pool secured 282 blocks, marking a 38% monthly increase and its highest post-halving performance to date.
Investors rewarded MARA's operational discipline as the firm held all newly mined bitcoin, boosting its reserves to 49,179 BTC. The vertically integrated miner continues leveraging rising hashrate efficiency and strategic accumulation during market upturns.
Binance’s CZ Highlights Regulatory Irony in Indian Bribery Case
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao seized on a high-profile Indian corruption case to underscore the inconsistent treatment of cryptocurrencies in regulatory narratives. Authorities confiscated gold, silver, and cash worth millions from a tax official—but the absence of digital assets became the story.
"No crypto involved, right? If he had $100 BTC, it WOULD have been a crypto problem," CZ tweeted. The remark cuts to the heart of India's ambiguous stance, where even trivial crypto holdings often dominate enforcement rhetoric.
India's Supreme Court recently pressed the government for clearer digital asset rules. This case exemplifies why: the same conduct draws disproportionate scrutiny when framed as a "crypto crime"—regardless of materiality or context.
Trump Family's Crypto Pivot Driven by Financial Necessity, Says Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump Jr. revealed the Trump family's entry into cryptocurrency was born out of financial exclusion rather than speculative enthusiasm. In a CNBC interview, he described how traditional banks severed ties after Donald Trump entered politics, forcing the family to explore alternative financial systems.
The Trump scion framed their support for projects like American bitcoin and USD1 stablecoin as both innovative and defensive. "We were debanked overnight," he stated, drawing parallels between their experience and mainstream financial exclusion. The family now champions crypto as a tool for economic empowerment.
Controversy surrounds the TRUMP memecoin's alleged connections to the family. While not directly addressed in the interview, the token's market activity suggests investors are weighing political narratives against cryptocurrency fundamentals.
Kazakhstan Launches Crypto Payment Cards Linked to Bitcoin and Digital Wallets
Kazakhstan is rolling out cryptocurrency payment cards as part of a new initiative under the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). These cards will connect to digital wallets on licensed platforms, enabling seamless transactions involving Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies.
The project emerged from discussions between the National Bank of Kazakhstan, commercial banks, crypto exchanges, and fintech firms. The goal is to simplify and secure everyday crypto payments. During transactions, digital assets are automatically converted into the national currency and transferred to the card for fiat settlement—bridging the gap between crypto and traditional finance.
Beyond payment cards, the central bank is advancing multiple digital asset projects, including national currency-denominated stablecoins, asset tokenization, and secure storage solutions for digital financial assets. The MOVE underscores Kazakhstan's push to modernize its financial infrastructure through blockchain innovation.
Bitcoin Miner MARA Holdings Reports Record Production and Block Wins in May
MARA Holdings, a prominent Bitcoin mining firm, announced a 35% monthly increase in BTC production, mining 950 coins in May—its highest output since April 2024's halving event. The company also set a new internal record by winning 282 blocks, up 38% from April.
CEO Fred Thiel credited the performance to MARA's vertically integrated infrastructure and proprietary mining pool, MARA Pool, which retains 100% of block rewards. The pool's reward luck has consistently exceeded the network average by over 10% since inception.
The miner's energized hashrate edged up to 58.3 EH/s, while its share of network rewards climbed to 6.5% from 5.1%. Transaction fees accounted for 1.5% of total rewards, reflecting slight growth. MARA retained all 49,179 BTC on its balance sheet without May sales.
Investors responded positively as MARA shares gained 5.5% alongside Bitcoin's rise to $106,000.
