Coin Stories with Natalie Brunell
Interviews on money, Bitcoin, and the road ahead.
Recent episodes
News Block: SpaceX's Hidden $1.4B Bitcoin Stash Revealed, Moody's Downgrades America, Mark Cuban Dumps His BTC
- SpaceX disclosed 18,712 Bitcoin (~$1.4 billion) on its balance sheet in its S-1 IPO filing, more than double previous estimates. The company bought at ~$35,300/BTC and held through a 50% drawdown without selling, signaling strong conviction. - Elon Musk's corporate holdings (Tesla, SpaceX, and Strategy) contain Bitcoin exclusively among cryptocurrencies. Musk has publicly emphasized Bitcoin's energy-based proof of work as unique and unfakeable. - Mark Cuban sold most of his Bitcoin holdings after the Iran conflict in late February, claiming Bitcoin failed as a gold hedge. Analysis shows this premise is flawed: Bitcoin gained 17% while gold dropped 13% during the conflict period. - Strive's SEDA preferred stock (trading near par at $100) hit record $39 million daily trading volume on Friday. Strive used recent equity raises to acquire 382 Bitcoin, demonstrating institutional appetite for Bitcoin treasury strategies. - Trump Media transferred 2,650 Bitcoin (~$205 million) to Crypto.com this week, marking a second major outflow in four months. The company holds positions at ~$118,500 average cost and faces ~$455 million in unrealized losses. - Moody's downgraded U.S. sovereign credit from AAA to AA1 on May 16—the first time all three major rating agencies have downgraded the United States. The agency cited rising deficits, growing interest costs, and Congressional failure to reverse fiscal trends.
News Block: Bond Markets Crash, Pro-Bitcoin Fed Chair Takes Over, Strategy Wipes Out $1.5B in Debt, and Strive Pays Daily Dividends
- Strategy and Strive balance sheet moves: Strategy repurchased $1.5 billion in convertible notes and announced semi-monthly dividend payouts on its Stretch preferred stock (11.5% yield). Strive announced zero debt, holds 15,000+ Bitcoin on a clean balance sheet, and launched Seda preferred stock paying daily dividends (13% annual yield)—the first U.S. listed security to do so. - Treasury yield surge and bond market stress: 10-year U.S. Treasury yields hit ~4.6% (highest in a year), 30-year crossed 5% (highest since 2007). Similar stress in UK gilts (28-year highs) and Japanese bonds. Investors fleeing government debt as inflation reports remain hot. - Kevin Warsh confirmed as Federal Reserve Chair: Senate confirmed Warsh 54–45. He is the most openly pro-Bitcoin Fed chair in history, has called Bitcoin "electronic gold" and "market signal that keeps policymakers honest," and says it doesn't threaten the dollar or the Fed. - Clarity Act advances in Senate Banking Committee: Committee voted 15–9 to advance the most significant crypto market structure legislation to date, with bipartisan support (two Democrats joining Republicans). Still requires 60 votes on Senate floor before Memorial Day recess. - Senator Lummis's Bitcoin case: During committee markup, Senator Cynthia Lummis argued Bitcoin enables people under repressive regimes and abuse survivors to memorize wealth (12 words) and carry savings without banks, passports, or government permission—protection against confiscation. - Bitcoin treasury companies as yield alternative: Both Strategy and Strive are issuing yield-bearing instruments (11.5–13%) backed by Bitcoin, positioned as alternatives to government bonds bleeding value in a high-inflation environment.