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Howdy, Digital Prospectors!

This is the Hodl Report, where we sift through the noise of the market madness for golden nuggets of alpha - no pickaxe required. ⛏️

This week, we’re digging into:

• How the market’s reacting to the macro madness 🌎

• Is Bitcoin really the new gold, or just shinier hopium? 🪙

• Top crypto news, no fluff, all fire 📰

• Memes to keep lighten things up 😂

Now, let’s mine that alpha! ⚒️

This week brought a surprising tone shift from Trump.

He softened on both his China trade war narrative and his Powell-bashing rhetoric.

Remember when he called Powell a “major loser” and said his “termination cannot come fast enough”?

Yeah, well, now it’s “no intention of firing him.”

Classic Trump. We should’ve seen it coming.

We kinda did…was it really a surprise?

Recently Trump’s been flip-flopping more than a fish on a hot dock. 🐟

As for China?

After dropping some pretty spicy comments last week, Trump walked it back with much more diplomatic language this week.

No one’s saying the trade war is over - but it’s clear the narrative has cooled.

While stocks didn’t exactly thrive, something interesting happened…

Bitcoin started decoupling. 👀

Not just a bounce from the dip, it might be the start of the next leg up we’ve been calling for.

Let’s recap our prediction:

✅ Bitcoin’s rebounding and on pace for new ATHs
A nice run with no signs of stopping - up 12% in the past 7 days!

✅ Select altcoins with real fundamentals will outperform BTC
Just look at our call on SUI - up 75% in the past 7 days!

✅ Bitcoin dominance climbs like it’s 2021 again
Almost touching 64%, the highest in many years!

We don’t like to toot our own horn, but…

Beep beep. 🚗

Even Arthur Hayes dropped his latest thesis this week, echoing our outlook that the worst is behind us. New ATHs ahead.

Feels good when the big brains agree with our thesis, not gonna lie. 🧠

And obviously, it wouldn’t be a proper week in crypto without Strategy aping into another mountain of Bitcoin and a fresh dose of regulatory rollbacks to keep the good vibes flowing.

Kinda makes you wonder… how’s all this deregulation gonna shake out when there are 72 crypto ETF applications just chillin’ on the SEC’s desk?

But one of the most interesting shifts this week?

While Bitcoin begins decoupling from the stock market, it’s starting to act more like a hedge - you know, the role gold usually plays.

We’ve always wanted this narrative to play out… and now, for the first time, we might be watching it happen.

But what exactly makes Bitcoin digital gold?

What gives it that potential? And will it stick?

We’re diving into that next. 👇

Bitcoin: From Digital Cash to Digital Gold

Bitcoin started its journey promising to revolutionize digital payments. But let’s be honest - slow transactions and hefty fees meant it quickly ditched being digital cash. Instead, Bitcoin pivoted to a digital gold narrative, stepping up as the new-age store of value. Let's quickly hit the key arguments:

Why Bitcoin IS Digital Gold

• Limited Supply: Both Bitcoin and gold thrive on scarcity. Bitcoin caps at 21 million coins, mimicking gold’s finite supply.

• Store of Value: Both are global hedges during economic chaos, preserving wealth when traditional markets spiral.

• Decentralization: No government can print more Bitcoin or conjure gold out of thin air.

• Mining Parallels: Both require mining - gold from the earth, Bitcoin digitally via computational energy.

Why Bitcoin is NOT Digital Gold (Yet)

• Volatility: Bitcoin’s wild price swings would give even the sturdiest investor whiplash.

• No Track Record: Gold’s proven itself over thousands of years, Bitcoin’s barely past its teen years.

• No Intrinsic Value: Peter Schiff loves pointing out Bitcoin doesn’t get made into rings or circuit boards.

• Regulatory Risk: Bitcoin still faces uncertainty from the regulatory overlords, while gold sails smoothly past the bureaucratic checkpoints.

Fast forward a few years into a bullish Bitcoin future, where volatility cools off, the track record solidifies, and regulations become more predictable and Bitcoin quickly begins to look not just equal, but superior.

1. Bitcoin’s Secret Superpower: Energy Money ⚡️

Bitcoin transforms excess energy - think unused solar or wind power - directly into financial value. This isn’t sci-fi; it’s already happening. Gold? It demands pre-planned mining operations and massive energy inputs upfront.

2. Efficiency Game: Bitcoin Wins Hands Down

Picture storing $1 billion worth of gold. You’d need a fortress, security guards, armored vehicles, and sky-high insurance. $1 billion in Bitcoin? Slip it in your pocket on a USB drive, secure it with a password, and you're done. Checkmate, gold.

3. Programmability = Versatility

Bitcoin can integrate directly into smart contracts and automated finance systems - making it far more dynamic and versatile than physical, static gold bars. Bitcoin’s automation and innovation potential are basically limitless, and we're still in the early innings.

4. The Insanity of Physical Gold Logistics

The recent gold frenzy highlighted its logistical nightmare - banks literally flying gold bars across the ocean to settle trades, causing weeks-long backlogs at the Bank of England. Yet they criticize Bitcoin mining for being energy-intensive? C'mon now.

Digital Gold Narrative is Heating Up 🔥

Maybe you caught the recent Bitcoin-gold debate where Jack Mallers (Bitcoin’s ultimate hype-man) squared off with Peter Schiff (the gold bug to end all gold bugs), you already know it felt like explaining Netflix to someone still clinging to their VHS tapes. 🤣

Schiff’s main arguments? Gold’s got history and intrinsic value. Sure, gold has held its glittery charm for millennia and, yes, it’s used in things like electronics and jewelry.

But how big is gold’s industrial use, really?

Hint: It's small enough to be practically irrelevant.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin offers something genuinely revolutionary - energy money conversion, programmability, and unmatched portability.

Who Holds What? And What About Performance?

The United States reigns supreme in gold reserves, holding a hefty 8,133.5 metric tons - more than Germany and Italy combined. Most of this treasure is tucked away in Fort Knox, making the U.S. the undisputed heavyweight in the gold game.

Who’s Stacking the Bitcoin?

As of early 2025, the U.S. government leads the global Bitcoin stash with approximately 207,189 BTC, primarily acquired through asset seizures. China follows closely with 194,000 BTC, while the United Kingdom holds around 61,000 BTC.

Bitcoin vs. Gold: The Performance Showdown

Over the past five years, Bitcoin has outpaced gold by a significant margin. From April 2020 to April 2025, Bitcoin delivered a staggering 1,138% return, compared to gold's 85% in the same period. This performance underscores Bitcoin's potential as a high-growth asset, albeit with greater volatility.​

Final Thoughts

So, is being the shiny rock in grandpa’s vault enough to keep its crown, or is Bitcoin truly the digital gold we’ve been promised?

With each passing year, it’s looking more and more like "yes." And the amount of time until Bitcoin is considered “proven” is a personal opinion that’s different for everyone.

Bitcoin isn’t just the digital gold alternative; it’s a significant upgrade - more portable, programmable, efficient, and energy-integrated.

Whether Peter Schiff and the gold bugs like it or not, the Bitcoin train is already roaring down the tracks.

Time to hop aboard or watch it zoom by - your call. 🚂💨

1.  Bitcoin Closing in on Historic Breakout vs. Nasdaq: Bitcoin is nearing a historic breakout point when measured against the Nasdaq index. Analysts believe this signals growing decoupling and Bitcoin’s emergence as a standalone macro asset.

2. Federal Reserve Finalizes Stablecoin Guidance for Banks: The Federal Reserve has issued new guidelines requiring banks to seek approval before engaging with stablecoins. The move aims to ensure proper risk management while allowing limited crypto exposure.

3. Trump Coin Jumps 70% After President’s Dinner Event: Trump Coin surged 70% after President Trump announced a private dinner for top token holders. The exclusive event has fueled a new wave of demand for the political-themed cryptocurrency.

4. Helium Partners with AT&T to Expand Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Helium Network is partnering with AT&T to deliver decentralized Wi-Fi coverage. This collaboration aims to strengthen Helium’s real-world use case and boost adoption of blockchain-powered infrastructure.

5. BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF Could Become World’s Largest in a Decade: Michael Saylor predicts BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF could be the largest ETF in the world within ten years. He cites accelerating institutional adoption and Bitcoin’s scarcity as key drivers.

6. Stablecoins Could Unbundle Traditional Banking, Experts Say: Financial experts argue that stablecoins may gradually unbundle traditional banking services. They believe decentralized alternatives for payments, lending, and savings are gaining traction faster than many anticipated.

7. ARK Invest Raises Bitcoin 2030 Price Target to $2.4 Million: ARK Invest has updated its most bullish Bitcoin forecast, projecting a potential price of $2.4 million by 2030. The firm sees Bitcoin's role in global finance expanding dramatically over the next five years.

Big thanks for making it to the end of this week’s Hodl Report! 👊

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Happy Friday!

Disclaimer: The content from Hodl Report should not be taken as trading, investment or financial advice or solicitation to buy or sell any assets. This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only. Please be careful out there and DYOR (do your own research)