Cryptocurrency
Riot Platforms' $525M Bitcoin Plan Leads to 14% Stock Selloff
2024-12-10
Riot Platforms, a prominent crypto mining company, witnessed a significant event on Monday. Its stock fell by 14% following Bitcoin's retreat from the $100,000 mark and the announcement of a $500M convertible note offering. This move aimed to expand the company's Bitcoin holdings.

Details of the Convertible Note Offering

The offering was initially set at $500M but was later upsized to $525M. It involved 0.75% convertible senior notes due in 2030, with net proceeds expected to be around $511.5M. This capital raise is scheduled to close on Wednesday. Riot plans to use these funds primarily to purchase additional Bitcoin for its treasury.

As of November's end, Riot held 11,425 Bitcoin, making it the third-largest publicly traded corporate Bitcoin holder. The company's monthly report showed it mined 495 Bitcoin in November, a slight 2% decrease from October. Initial purchasers of the notes will have a three-day window to acquire up to an additional $75 million worth of the securities.

The notes mature on January 15, 2030, and can be converted to equity under specific conditions. Starting January 20, 2028, Riot has the option to redeem some or all of the notes for cash if at least $50 million remains outstanding in the case of a partial redemption. At maturity, noteholders can choose to convert their holdings into Riot's common stock or a combination of cash and shares.

Impact on Stock Performance

The announcement triggered a sharp selloff in Riot's shares. On Tuesday, the stock closed at $10.92, marking a 2.63% decline for the day. This followed Monday's steeper drop of 14%, significantly underperforming compared to the S&P 500's modest 0.6% decline. The company's stock performance reflects the volatile nature of crypto-mining investments, which often move in tandem with Bitcoin prices.

Riot's Vice President of Research, Pierre Rochard, highlighted the company's substantial mining operation with a hashrate of 25 EH/s as a key competitive advantage. This infrastructure allows Riot to bridge fixed-income investments with Bitcoin market opportunities.

Comparison with Competitors

This financing approach mirrors similar strategies employed by other crypto mining companies. Marathon Digital, one of Riot's main competitors, recently announced its own plans to raise $700 million through a similar private offering of convertible notes. The broader crypto-related equities market also experienced pressure, with companies like Coinbase, Marathon Digital, and CleanSpark seeing declines. This market response suggests that investors may be cautious about large capital raises aimed at Bitcoin acquisition as the cryptocurrency trades off its recent highs.

Investment Opportunity and Tools

Stay ahead of the market with Benzinga Pro! It gives you the edge needed in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders. Enjoy breaking market-moving stories before they hit mainstream media, live audio squawk for hands-free market updates, an advanced stock scanner to spot promising trades, and expert trade ideas with on-demand support. Don't let opportunities slip away. Start your free trial of Benzinga Pro today and take your trading to the next level! Visit Benzinga Pro.
Why Crypto Market Lost $1.6B in Hours: Key Factors Explained
2024-12-10
With the market reaching a crucial liquidation zone, a significant event unfolded. Stop-losses were triggered in a domino effect, signaling the end of a certain phase. The overheated market witnessed a surge in funding fees, and Open Interest (OI) also soared as traders ventured into new positions.

Reemergence of Buying Pressure on Ethereum

After the terrifying sell-off, a remarkable phenomenon occurred on Ethereum. Traders regarded ETH as a secure choice as it demonstrated a relatively smaller drawdown compared to Bitcoin. This led to a reemergence of strong buying pressure, indicating a potential shift in market sentiment.During this period, the price of XRP dropped by more than 12% and reached as low as $2.06 in the widespread sell-off. The analyst pointed out that XRP still has thin liquidity, which has an impact on its spike potential. Amidst the sell-off, Cardano (ADA), USDC, and FDUSD experienced an astonishing increase in volume.According to Ash Crypto, the liquidation likely wiped out "weak hands" and provided an opportunity for smart money to buy the dip at a discounted price. Eventually, the analyst projected that the coin's price is bound to "snap back quickly."The market still retains the right anchors that have contributed to its growth in the past few weeks. MicroStrategy made a substantial $2.1 billion Bitcoin purchase this week, serving as evidence of the strong institutional presence on the market.Experts are forecasting a rapid recovery for the market. Robert Kiyosaki advocates that people should seize the moment and buy Bitcoin now. This indicates a positive outlook for the future of the market.
See More
Mayor Adams Travels to Puerto Rico for Cryptocurrency Conference
2024-12-10
Mayor Eric Adams is set to embark on a taxpayer-funded journey to Puerto Rico this week. The purpose of this trip is to attend a significant cryptocurrency conference. Kayla Mamelak, the mayor's spokeswoman, has confirmed that the city will be covering the mayor's airfare and lodging as he makes his way to San Juan on Tuesday for the "Puerto Rico Blockchain Week" confab. This event is expected to bring together cryptocurrency enthusiasts from various backgrounds.

Mayor Adams Leads the Way in Crypto Exploration

Adams' Motivations for the Trip

Mamelak explained that Adams is going to Puerto Rico to learn "more about innovative ways to bring tech jobs to New York City." By attending this conference, the mayor aims to gain insights and knowledge that can potentially benefit the city's technological landscape. It is a strategic move to explore new avenues for economic growth and job creation.Adams has long been a major crypto proponent. He converted his first three mayoral paychecks into Bitcoin, demonstrating his belief in the potential of this digital currency. Last week, he boasted about the surge in the value of his crypto holdings since Trump's election. This shows his confidence in the crypto market and his willingness to take risks.

Interactions at the Crypto Conference

At the crypto conference, Adams is expected to have the opportunity to rub shoulders with several Trump acolytes. One such individual is billionaire Brock Pierce, a friend and donor to the mayor who is also close with several Trump advisers, including Steve Bannon. This connection could potentially open up new doors for Adams and the city in terms of crypto-related policies and initiatives.Perianne Boring, a businesswoman currently under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump to become his chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, will also be present at the conference. Adams' participation in this event allows him to engage with key figures in the crypto industry and have a say in the regulatory landscape.

Implications and Concerns

Adams' crypto-focused trip comes at a time when Trump's incoming administration has vowed to focus more federal resources on boosting cryptocurrencies. This decision is driven by concerns about fraud in the industry and its environmental impacts. The surge in cryptocurrency values in anticipation of Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration further highlights the significance of this topic.However, there are also concerns about the use of taxpayer funds for this trip. Mamelak did not disclose how much the trip is expected to cost or which parts of it might not have a city purpose. It is important to ensure that public funds are used wisely and that the benefits outweigh the costs.In conclusion, Mayor Adams' trip to Puerto Rico for the cryptocurrency conference is a significant event that has the potential to shape the future of crypto in New York City. By actively participating in this industry, Adams is showing his leadership and willingness to explore new opportunities. However, it is crucial to carefully monitor the use of taxpayer funds and ensure that the city reaps the maximum benefits from this endeavor.
See More