Bitcoin Hits Record £100,000 as Trump Announces UK Trade Deal

Bitcoin soared past the £100,000 mark today following an announcement by former US President Donald Trump about a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom. Investors responded swiftly, with Bitcoin’s price briefly rising above £100,800 before stabilising around the same level by midday.

Market Reaction to Trump’s Announcement

Although President Trump provided limited details about the UK-US trade deal, the market viewed it as a sign of geopolitical cooperation amid recent tariff tensions. Bitcoin’s rally marks the highest price for the cryptocurrency since February, peaking at approximately £115,000 earlier in the session.

Other major cryptocurrencies also experienced gains:

• Ethereum rose by nearly 13%, crossing the £2,000 threshold.
  
• Cardano climbed approximately 9%.
  

Key Developments Driving Bitcoin’s Surge

New Bitcoin Investment Firm Launched

David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. and a crypto adviser to Donald Trump, announced the formation of a new publicly traded Bitcoin investment company named Nakamoto, inspired by Bitcoin’s creator. The company has already raised:

• £200 million in equity
  
• £100 million in convertible debt
  

Nakamoto plans to invest its Bitcoin holdings in global businesses and is expected to list on NASDAQ through a SPAC merger by the summer. Other prominent players in this space include Strategy, currently the largest corporate Bitcoin holder, and Jack Malers of Stripe, who is launching a separate venture, 21.

Celebrities Cleared in FTX Lawsuit

A Florida court has dismissed legal claims against celebrities including Tom Brady, Kevin O’Leary, and Steph Curry in connection to the defunct crypto exchange FTX. The judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove the celebrities were aware of FTX’s alleged wrongdoing. Online influencers named in the same lawsuit were also cleared.

Coinbase Acquires Darabit in Landmark Crypto Deal

Coinbase, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, announced the acquisition of Dubai-based crypto options exchange Darabit in a deal valued at approximately £2.3 billion. The deal includes:

• £560 million in cash
  
• 11 million Coinbase shares
  

The acquisition will enable Coinbase to expand into futures, perpetuals, and options trading, with full integration expected by year-end. Darabit has recorded over £770 billion in annual trading volume. Coinbase shares rose 5% on the news.

Superstate Unveils Blockchain-Based Public Shares

Crypto technology company Superstate introduced a new initiative called “Opening Bell”, designed to enable companies to issue and trade SEC-registered shares directly on blockchain networks, beginning with Solana.

How It Works

“Opening Bell” facilitates the trading of actual company shares (not derivatives or tokens) via blockchain platforms like Ethereum and Solana. Key benefits include:

• Real-time settlement
  
• 24/7 global trading
  
• Direct ownership without intermediaries
  

The first participating firm is Sol Strategies, chosen due to its strong association with Solana. Superstate expects broader adoption as the system proves its effectiveness.

Broader Market Implications

Superstate CEO Robert Leshner believes that blockchain-based equity trading could significantly reshape capital markets. Current average daily trading volumes are:

• NASDAQ: £230 billion
  
• Total crypto market: £46 billion
  
• Solana blockchain: £2.3 billion
  

The company anticipates that tokenised equities will shift a considerable share of crypto volume toward regulated stock-like assets.

Benefits for Investors

Superstate claims that “Opening Bell” simplifies investing by:

• Enabling crypto wallet-based equity purchases
  
• Providing instant settlements
  
• Allowing trading without market hour restrictions
  
• Reducing intermediaries and transaction costs

Institutional investors are reportedly showing interest due to the compatibility with their current workflows, especially for managing liquid assets like Treasury Bills.

Regulatory Path and Future Outlook

Superstate has submitted its framework to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and anticipates regulatory clearance by summer. If approved, blockchain-based trading of public equities could begin within months.

Long-term, Superstate envisions expanding tokenisation into other asset classes such as fixed income and eventually private equity. Although private markets face liquidity challenges, the broader trend of blockchain integration continues to gather pace.

Summary

Today’s events — from Bitcoin’s record-breaking price to new crypto investment vehicles and blockchain-integrated equity trading — signal a pivotal moment for digital assets and global finance. As technological innovations continue to blur the lines between traditional and decentralised markets, both retail and institutional investors may find new opportunities emerging across the financial landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused Bitcoin to surpass £100,000?
A UK-US trade deal announcement by Donald Trump and the launch of a new Bitcoin investment firm contributed to a surge in investor optimism.

Who is behind the new Bitcoin investment firm Nakamoto?
David Bailey, a crypto adviser to Trump and CEO of BTC Inc., founded Nakamoto to invest in global businesses using Bitcoin reserves.

What is Coinbase’s recent acquisition?
Coinbase is acquiring Dubai-based Darabit for £2.3 billion to enhance its trading capabilities with options and futures.

What is Superstate’s ‘Opening Bell’?
A blockchain-powered platform enabling companies to issue and trade SEC-registered shares directly on Solana and Ethereum networks.

When will blockchain-based equity trading launch?
Subject to SEC approval, Superstate expects live trading to begin in the summer.

What are the advantages for investors?
Investors benefit from direct equity access, instant trade settlement, and 24/7 global trading.