Rumble Invests $17M in Bitcoin, Metaplanet Expands, Ethereum Update

March 17, 2025

Crypto World

Maciej Zerelik

Crypto moves fast. Staying informed isn’t easy. That’s where StealthEX and CryptoDaily step in. Every week, we pick out the biggest crypto news. No jargon, no fluff—just clear, simple updates. You’ll quickly learn what’s important. We’ll keep you ready for what’s next. So, let’s dive in!

Rumble Bets Big on Bitcoin: Platform Invests $17 Million

Rumble, the popular video platform, just took a major step into cryptocurrency. The Nasdaq-listed company recently invested around $17 million to buy 188 Bitcoin. They purchased each coin for about $91,000.

This investment fits into Rumble’s broader financial plan. Last year, the company pledged to use up to $20 million from its reserves to purchase Bitcoin. Rumble sees Bitcoin as protection against rising prices and economic instability.

Company CEO Chris Pavlovski explained this decision clearly. He said Bitcoin provides safety from losing value, unlike traditional currencies, which governments frequently print more of. Pavlovski believes Bitcoin can help secure the company’s financial future.

Recently, Rumble also received an investment worth $775 million from Tether, another key player in digital currencies. These moves highlight how closely connected technology platforms and cryptocurrency markets have become.

Last November, Rumble’s users expressed strong support for Bitcoin. In an online poll created by Pavlovski, over 93% of participants voted in favor of purchasing Bitcoin. The idea attracted praise from MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, who has encouraged other businesses to invest in digital currency.

Rumble hasn’t announced if they’ll buy more Bitcoin soon. Company officials stated they’ll evaluate market trends and internal finances carefully before making further decisions.

Choose StealthEX for Exchange and Buy Crypto.

• User-Friendly — Simple and minimalistic interface for everyone.
• Fast and Private — Instant non-custodial cryptocurrency exchanges.
• Buy crypto with Credit Card.
• 1500+ coins and tokens are available for limitless, quick and easy exchanges.
• NO-KYC crypto exchanges — Buy cryptocurrency up to $700 without KYC!
• StealthEX crypto exchange app — Process crypto swaps at the best rates wherever you are.
• 24/7 Customer Support.

Earn from Each Exchange by Joining StealthEX Affiliate Program.
Become a partner right now and use affiliate tools:

• Public API — Earn from your wallet, aggregator, or exchange terminal.
• Referral Links — Recommend StealthEX to your audience.
• Exchange Widget — Built crypto exchange widget on any page of your website.
• Button — A perfect choice for traffic monetization.
• Banner — Track conversion and stats right in the personal cabinet.

Metaplanet Boosts Bitcoin Portfolio with Fresh $13.5 Million Investment

Metaplanet, a Tokyo-based investment firm, saw its stock price rise over 8% after buying an additional 162 Bitcoins. The recent purchase cost the company roughly $13.5 million, averaging around $83,123 per coin.

CEO Simon Gerovich shared the news through social media, highlighting strong returns. He confirmed Metaplanet now holds a total of 3,050 Bitcoins, worth about $253.7 million at an average price close to $83,180 per Bitcoin. This latest acquisition increases Metaplanet’s exposure to cryptocurrency markets, even amid price fluctuations.

Investors reacted positively to this development. The company’s shares climbed sharply on Wednesday, surpassing 3,600 yen per share after several weeks trading between 3,300 and 4,000 yen.

Metaplanet financed its Bitcoin purchases by issuing zero-interest bonds worth around $18.2 million (2 billion yen). EVO FUND acquired these bonds, specifically designed to fund future cryptocurrency investments. The move resembles strategies used by American firms such as MicroStrategy, which recently announced raising billions for similar Bitcoin-related investments.

Metaplanet plans to expand its Bitcoin reserves significantly. The company’s goal is to reach 10,000 Bitcoins by the end of 2025. Long-term, Metaplanet aims even higher, targeting holdings of around 21,000 Bitcoins by 2026.

Ethereum Sets New Testnet Launch After Previous Setbacks

Ethereum developers have introduced a new test network named Hoodi. The Ethereum Foundation announced this step following technical problems during earlier trials of the Pectra upgrade on Sepolia and Holesky testnets.

Hoodi’s official launch is scheduled for March 17, aiming to thoroughly evaluate the Pectra update before it goes live. This update is expected to significantly boost Ethereum’s efficiency and usability, introducing innovative features for wallets. Users, for example, will soon be able to pay transaction fees using alternative currencies, not just ETH.

Tim Beiko from the Ethereum Foundation emphasized that Hoodi is essential for verifying critical aspects, particularly validator exits, that previous testnets couldn’t adequately handle. If Hoodi’s trial run on March 26 succeeds, developers plan to roll out the Pectra upgrade to the main Ethereum network roughly 30 days afterward. That means the upgrade might reach all Ethereum users between late April and early May.

Ethereum experienced substantial setbacks during prior tests on the Sepolia and Holesky networks. Holesky even went offline temporarily due to unexpected errors in configuration, highlighting the importance of Hoodi’s success.

These challenges come amid declining Ethereum market performance, leadership changes within the Ethereum Foundation, and rising competition from other blockchain networks like Solana.

U.S. Lawmakers Vote to Scrap Controversial Crypto Reporting Rule

U.S. lawmakers recently voted to reverse a disputed IRS regulation targeting cryptocurrency brokers. The controversial rule required certain crypto entities, especially decentralized finance (DeFi) services, to provide detailed transaction reports to the government.

On March 11, the House of Representatives approved a resolution against this IRS “Broker Rule,” with 292 lawmakers voting in favor and 132 against. The rule previously expanded the definition of a broker, forcing developers in the DeFi space to report detailed financial information, even if they didn’t directly handle digital assets.

Earlier this month, the Senate also passed a similar resolution, strongly backed by Senator Ted Cruz and other key Republicans. Cruz described the move as crucial for protecting innovation and personal privacy in the U.S. cryptocurrency market. Lawmakers argued the IRS requirement created unnecessary costs, hurt innovation, and risked pushing crypto development abroad.

Representative French Hill, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, supported overturning the rule, calling it harmful and anti-innovation. Industry leaders, including Kristin Smith of the Blockchain Association, praised the decision, highlighting its bipartisan support and positive implications for U.S.-based crypto businesses.

The measure now awaits approval from President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law, aligning with the government’s commitment to nurturing innovation within the digital assets sector.

Trump Family Considers Investing in Binance.US Amid Exchange’s Comeback Effort

The Trump family is reportedly considering an investment in Binance.US, the American division of the global crypto giant Binance. This potential move comes as Binance attempts to re-enter the U.S. market following a massive $4.3 billion legal settlement and recent leadership changes.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the discussions involve the Trump family exploring a financial stake in Binance.US, possibly through direct ownership or via their crypto-related venture, World Liberty Financial, introduced last September.

The backdrop includes Binance founder Changpeng Zhao pleading guilty to anti-money-laundering charges last year, resulting in his resignation as CEO and a four-month prison sentence. Despite stepping down, Zhao remains influential in Binance’s strategic direction.

Following legal trouble in 2023, Binance.US saw a dramatic decline, with its market presence dropping from 27% to just over 1%. Regulators accused Binance of allowing illegal activities and helping users avoid compliance measures, severely damaging its reputation.

The Trump family’s discussions with Binance are reportedly led by Steve Witkoff, a close Trump associate. Although publicly denying involvement, sources say negotiations are ongoing. Binance, now under CEO Richard Teng, formed a special team tasked with rebuilding its U.S. business, exploring new partnerships, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

These developments coincide with increased scrutiny surrounding Trump’s business dealings, especially given past concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to his family’s continued financial activities during his political career.

Coinbase Plans Major Hiring Spree Amid Trump’s Crypto-Friendly Policies

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong recently revealed the company will hire around 1,000 new employees in the U.S., highlighting President Trump’s supportive stance toward cryptocurrencies as a significant factor in this decision.

In a message shared on social media, Armstrong praised the Trump administration for revitalizing the crypto industry. He credited recent policy shifts and regulatory reforms as reasons for Coinbase’s increased optimism and expansion strategy.

Trump’s administration has quickly enacted several pro-crypto measures since taking office. Notably, the government established the nation’s first-ever strategic Bitcoin reserve, utilizing assets obtained through seizures. Additionally, a recent executive order instructed federal agencies to propose cost-neutral plans to increase America’s crypto holdings.

These developments were announced during a high-profile crypto summit at the White House. At the event, Trump stated his goal of making the United States a global leader in cryptocurrency and urged Congress to adopt supportive legislation soon.

Although Coinbase announced ambitious hiring plans, specific details about job roles or a timeline have not yet been disclosed. A company representative declined to elaborate, stating only that internal planning is still underway.

Coinbase’s move follows the recent dismissal of SEC lawsuits against major crypto platforms, including Coinbase itself. This regulatory easing further reflects the U.S. government’s new approach toward fostering innovation in digital assets.

Trezor Fixes Security Gap Found by Ledger in Wallet Devices

Hardware wallet maker Trezor recently fixed a security flaw affecting two of its popular crypto wallet models, Safe 3 and Safe 5. The vulnerability was discovered by Ledger, a rival wallet manufacturer, during a routine security check.

Ledger identified a weakness in Trezor’s design that could allow attackers to bypass certain defenses aimed at preventing supply chain attacks. These attacks happen when devices are tampered with before reaching the customer.

Following the report from Ledger, Trezor quickly implemented necessary improvements. In a statement on social media, Trezor confirmed the findings and noted it had already corrected the issue. The company emphasized the problem posed no immediate threat to wallet users and required no immediate action from them.

The specific issue involved Trezor’s dual-chip design. Ledger found it was possible, under certain circumstances, to evade existing firmware checks, potentially allowing compromised software onto devices unnoticed.

However, Trezor reassured customers their assets remained secure, emphasizing that their multilayered protection continues to provide strong security overall.

Ledger commended Trezor’s rapid response, highlighting that collaboration between crypto companies improves the safety of digital asset storage systems.

The discovery arrives as Ledger itself has faced security issues previously, losing nearly half a million dollars through a connector vulnerability last year and experiencing user data leaks in 2020.

This article is not supposed to provide financial advice. Digital assets are risky. Be sure to do your own research and consult your financial advisor before investing.