Strategy tops BlackRock’s IBIT in Bitcoin holdings after latest purchase
Crypto Briefing·60-word summary·1 min read
Strategy has overtaken BlackRock’s IBIT in Bitcoin holdings after purchasing 34,164 BTC for $2.54 billion, increasing its total to 815,061 BTC. This latest acquisition marks a significant milestone in its Bitcoin accumulation efforts, surpassing BlackRock’s holdings. The move highlights Strategy’s aggressive approach to expanding its crypto portfolio as of April 2026.
On April 21, bitcoin's price fluctuated between $75,000 and $77,000 amid geopolitical tensions, reaching a high of $76,944 following reports of U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan. Market volatility led to the liquidation of 6,769 traders, totaling $97 million. The uncertain geopolitical environment contributed to the sharp price swings ahead of the US-Iran deadline.
Core Scientific has secured a $3.3 billion junk bond deal to fund its transition from Bitcoin mining to AI data centers and to refinance existing debt. The move, announced in April 2026, marks a significant shift in the company's strategy amid ongoing industry changes. The deal underscores the growing investment in AI infrastructure within the crypto sector.
Kalshi and Polymarket are competing to launch crypto perpetual futures, marking a shift from event-based betting to continuous derivatives trading. The move signals increased interest in expanding crypto derivatives markets, though specific launch dates and amounts have not been disclosed. This development highlights the growing focus on innovative financial products within the Web3 space.
Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour will speak at the Bitcoin 2026 Conference on April 27 in Las Vegas, discussing prediction markets and Bitcoin. The session, a fireside chat with BTC Inc. CEO Brandon Green, is scheduled for 11:40 AM on the Nakamoto Stage at The Venetian Resort. Mansour is co-founder and CEO of Kalshi, a prediction market platform.
The Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index has risen to 33 on April 21, 2026, the highest since mid-January, indicating a shift from extreme fear. The index, which measures trader sentiment on a 0-100 scale, was at 21 on April 17, reflecting recent market anxiety. This increase suggests growing confidence among crypto traders, though the market remains in a cautious, fearful state.
Bitcoin declined toward $75,000 on April 21, amid market uncertainty caused by the Fed Chair nominee's Senate confirmation hearing and stalled U.S.-Iran talks. The cryptocurrency's slide coincided with a broader market pullback, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also lost early gains. The developments contributed to cautious investor sentiment in the crypto and traditional markets.