Nasdaq Ramps Up Scrutiny on Corporate Bitcoin Treasury Holdings

Wall Street's tech-heavy exchange tightens screws on companies holding crypto—because apparently traditional balance sheets weren't complicated enough.

The Compliance Crackdown

Nasdaq escalates oversight measures for firms with Bitcoin treasuries, implementing new reporting requirements and disclosure frameworks. The move signals institutional maturation—or just another layer of bureaucratic box-ticking for finance departments to navigate.

Corporate Crypto Under Microscope

Public companies holding digital assets now face intensified scrutiny from exchange regulators. The enhanced monitoring covers valuation methodologies, custody arrangements, and risk disclosure practices—because nothing says 'transparency' like 300 pages of compliance documentation.

Traditional finance finally discovers blockchain's immutable ledger—then immediately tries to bury it under paperwork. Some things never change.

Nasdaq’s new oversight measures

The exchange will now require certain companies to secure shareholder votes for bitcoin-related fundraising deals and expand their public disclosures, according to reporting from The Information.

Insiders note that noncompliance could result in suspension or delisting.

This announcement triggered a selloff among several digital asset treasury (DAT) stocks.

Data from Architect Partners highlights the rapid growth in this sector, with 154 U.S.-listed companies announcing plans to raise nearly $100 billion for bitcoin treasury initiatives since January, compared to just $34 billion by 10 firms before 2025.

Public companies surpass 1 million BTC

Collectively, public companies now hold over 1 million BTC, with a total value NEAR $110 billion, according to data from BitcoinTreasuries.

Michael Saylor’s Strategy, along with firms like Metaplanet and Semler Scientific, have helped push these totals higher.

As noted by BitcoinTreasuries President Pete Rizzo:

“Despite today’s milestone, a number of indicators suggest institutional bitcoin adoption remains in its infancy.”

Most major treasury firms have only recently begun long-term accumulation strategies, indicating further potential for institutional growth.