Saylor to Apple: Buy Bitcoin

June 10, 2025

Reading time: 5 minutes

Saylor to Apple: Skip the buybacks, buy Bitcoin instead

Key points:

  • Michael Saylor urged Apple to invest in Bitcoin instead of continuing its $110B stock buyback strategy, which has underperformed in 2025.

  • The call aligns with a broader trend of corporate Bitcoin allocations, with GameStop, Metaplanet, and others adding BTC to their balance sheets.

News - Apple’s share buyback strategy has come under fire, and MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor is offering a bold alternative: buy Bitcoin. The comment followed CNBC’s Jim Cramer’s critique that Apple’s repurchase program “isn’t working,” amid the company’s 17% stock decline year-to-date.

Saylor, whose firm holds over 582,000 BTC, responded on X: “Apple should buy Bitcoin.” He argues that Bitcoin, up 17% in the same period, offers a stronger risk-adjusted return than Apple's current capital management strategy. Over a five-year horizon, Bitcoin has surged 1,000%, while Apple has grown 137%, widening the performance gap between traditional and digital assets.

Bitcoin is becoming a corporate treasury play - Saylor’s suggestion comes at a time of growing institutional and corporate interest in Bitcoin. GameStop recently purchased 4,710 BTC following a successful capital raise. Japan’s Metaplanet, now the eighth-largest public BTC holder, revealed a $5.4B yen funding plan for further Bitcoin accumulation, a move that sent its stock soaring 12%. Meanwhile, France’s Blockchain Group acquired $68M in BTC and aims to raise $345M more.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs also posted a $386M net inflow on June 9, reinforcing Bitcoin’s status as a strategic reserve asset, not just a speculative tool.

A changing narrative for corporate finance - While Apple remains conservative in its capital approach, Saylor’s statement taps into a larger shift. As companies look for inflation-resistant, globally liquid reserves, Bitcoin is emerging as a serious contender. Saylor believes Apple’s entrance could catalyze broader institutional adoption and validate Bitcoin as a treasury asset.

Whether Apple makes such a pivot remains to be seen, but the debate signals how digital assets are redefining modern capital allocation strategies.

Bitcoin Core 30 ignites debate with OP_RETURN upgrade

Key points:

  • Bitcoin Core 30, slated for October, will raise the OP_RETURN data limit from 80 bytes to nearly 4MB, fueling debate over blockchain use and decentralization.

  • Critics warn of potential network bloat and deviation from Bitcoin’s founding principles, while developers argue the move improves data handling and aligns with user demand.

News - Bitcoin’s upcoming Core 30 update is set to dramatically raise the OP_RETURN data transaction limit, intensifying long-standing ideological divides within the community. The OP_RETURN function, which allows users to embed data in Bitcoin transactions, will now support up to ~4MB of data, a significant leap from the existing 80-byte limit.

The decision followed heated discussions among developers and users, with supporters like Greg Sanders and Gloria Zhao defending the change as a step toward cleaner UTXO sets and improved protocol behavior. Sanders noted the update corrects a mismatch between data storage harm and its standard usage, while Zhao emphasized the need to maintain Bitcoin Core’s neutrality and decentralization-focused ethos.

A victory for reformists, a red flag for purists - While reformists hailed the change as a long-overdue upgrade to support use cases like identity protocols and BTC Layer 2 infrastructure, opponents, including Luke Dashjr, argued it compromises Bitcoin’s resilience. Dashjr advised users to adopt alternative clients such as Bitcoin Knots, which gained ground recently among disillusioned node operators.

The controversy mirrors 2023’s Ordinals debate, with fears that bloated transactions could impact relay efficiency and open doors to centralized filtering practices.

Governance transparency in the spotlight - Zhao addressed concerns around developer autonomy and corporate influence, stressing that Bitcoin Core must uphold its meritocratic values. She warned that should these principles erode, the community may pivot toward node clients that preserve them.

While version 30 retains optional manual limits for now, these controls are marked deprecated, signaling deeper structural changes in future releases.

AI deepfakes fuel crypto scams as $4.6B stolen in 2024

Key points:

  • 87 deepfake scam rings were dismantled across Asia in Q1 2025, with AI-powered frauds driving nearly 40% of high-value crypto thefts last year.

  • The Bitget–SlowMist–Elliptic report warns of increasingly realistic deepfake impersonations via Zoom, Telegram, and social media, urging ecosystem-wide security upgrades.

News - AI-generated deepfakes have emerged as the most dangerous tool in the modern crypto scammer’s arsenal, according to the 2025 Anti-Scam Research Report jointly published by Bitget, SlowMist, and Elliptic. The report reveals a staggering $4.6 billion lost to crypto scams in 2024, with deepfakes accounting for nearly 40% of high-value fraud.

In Q1 2025 alone, 87 deepfake-based scam rings were shut down across Asia. These operations deployed realistic synthetic videos of public figures, including Elon Musk and Singapore’s Prime Minister, to promote fraudulent platforms. The impersonations, often distributed on Telegram, X, and YouTube, exploited social trust and went viral before detection.

From fake Zoom calls to Trojan job offers - One disturbing trend involved deepfake Zoom meetings, where scammers posed as crypto executives and tricked users into downloading Trojan-laced software. Victims unknowingly granted access to private keys, wallets, or cloud accounts. Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal and others have publicly warned of such impersonation attempts.

Beyond high-profile attacks, scammers are also targeting everyday users with AI-branded bots, fake staking apps, and ChatGPT-themed smart contracts, often stealing small sums repeatedly to build large cumulative hauls.

A call for layered defenses and collective vigilance -  Bitget launched its Anti-Scam Hub alongside the report, combining real-time behavior analytics, fund tracing tools, and a $500M+ protection fund to mitigate risks. The authors stressed that no defense is purely technical, education remains key.

Gracy Chen, Bitget’s CEO, urged users to "verify, isolate, and slow down" before acting on links or messages. SlowMist’s Yu Xian emphasized verifying Zoom invites and domain names, while Elliptic’s Arda Akartuna warned of AI’s growing use to bypass KYC and launder funds through cross-chain bridges.

In a landscape where “anyone can be anyone,” crypto’s fight against fraud is becoming as much about human awareness as it is about blockchain tools.

Societe Generale launches regulated USD stablecoin on Ethereum and Solana

Key points:

  • French banking giant Societe Generale has unveiled USD CoinVertible (USDCV), a MiCA-compliant, dollar-pegged stablecoin for institutional clients.

  • Trading begins in July 2025 on Ethereum and Solana, with reserves held by BNY Mellon and daily collateral disclosures provided for transparency.

News - Societe Generale-FORGE (SG-FORGE), the digital asset division of France’s third-largest bank, has launched USD CoinVertible (USDCV), a US dollar-pegged stablecoin designed for institutional use and fully compliant with Europe’s MiCA regulations. The stablecoin will be issued on both Ethereum and Solana, with trading set to begin in July 2025.

USDCV’s reserves will be safeguarded by Bank of New York Mellon, with real-time collateral reporting available via a public dashboard. The stablecoin is not available to U.S. residents but will be accessible to corporates, institutions, and eligible retail investors across supported jurisdictions.

A first among global banks - Societe Generale is the first major global bank to issue a publicly tradable, USD-pegged stablecoin. The move builds on the bank’s 2023 launch of EUR CoinVertible (EURCV), Europe’s first MiCA-compliant euro stablecoin, though that product has seen limited adoption to date.

SG-FORGE CEO Jean-Marc Stenger said the launch responds to strong institutional demand for regulated, secure digital assets amid growing market adoption. “There is a very strong need for well-regulated, robust offerings in the crypto and stablecoin space,” he noted.

USDCV is expected to power use cases like crypto trading, cross-border payments, on-chain settlement, foreign exchange, and cash management.

The global stablecoin race heats up - The launch comes as global stablecoin adoption accelerates. In the U.S., Congress is preparing regulation that could greenlight stablecoin issuance by traditional banks. Tech firms like Apple, Stripe, and Uber are reportedly exploring stablecoin integration, while activity in South Korea and Latin America shows growing demand for tokenized fiat access.

With Tether’s USDt and Circle’s USDC dominating the market, Societe Generale’s entry signals a new phase where regulated TradFi players compete directly in the blockchain-native financial ecosystem.

Interesting facts

  • A year after Ethereum’s transition to proof-of-stake in 2022, research confirmed that the network reduced its annual carbon emissions by more than 99.9%, cutting out over 140,000 metric tons of CO₂ output.

  • President Nayib Bukele announced in May 2025 that El Salvador’s Bitcoin holdings had generated over $357 million in unrealized profit since their 2021 adoption, marking a 124% return.

  • As of 2025, Coinbase serves as the custodian for more than 50% of all U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs, including funds by BlackRock, ARK, and Bitwise, cementing its dominance in institutional crypto infrastructure.

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.

Top 3 coins of the day

Uniswap (UNI)

Key points:

  • At press time, UNI was trading at $7.16, reflecting a 4.7% increase over the last 24 hours.

  • It was one of the top gainers and trending cryptocurrencies according to CoinMarketCap.

What you should know

Uniswap broke past the $7 resistance level after consolidating above $6 since early May, delivering a strong daily candle with a 4.7% gain. The breakout followed a period of accumulation marked by steady volume and a tightening range near the $6.30–$6.70 zone. The Supertrend indicator flashed a Buy signal earlier in May, and its support line now trails UNI at $7.02, suggesting bullish confirmation remains intact unless a sharp reversal occurs. On the momentum front, the MACD line crossed above the signal line with a widening histogram, indicating growing bullish pressure. Volume also spiked during the latest rally, reflecting renewed investor interest. Notably, Uniswap recorded near all-time high monthly trading volumes in May, boosting protocol revenue and investor confidence. If UNI sustains its current trajectory, the next area to watch is the $7.50–$7.70 resistance band. However, a drop below $6.80 could invalidate short-term bullish expectations.

Aave (AAVE)

Key points:

  • At press time, AAVE was trading at $290, up 2.50% over the last 24 hours.

  • The Supertrend indicator remained in a bullish phase, while the RSI hovered just below the overbought threshold.

What you should know:

AAVE extended its recent uptrend after rebounding strongly from the $235 Supertrend support level earlier this month. The price climbed steadily, with the latest daily candle marking a clear bullish continuation as it tested the $294 range. The Supertrend maintained a buy signal throughout the rally, reinforcing bullish dominance. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) approached the 70 mark, signaling that buyers had control but were nearing overbought territory. Trading volumes held steady, adding weight to the ongoing momentum. On the fundamental side, renewed optimism stemmed from Avara founder Stani Kulechov’s meeting with the Trump administration’s crypto advisers to discuss safeguarding DeFi innovation, alongside the SEC’s growing support for the sector. Additionally, whale accumulation of over $7.5 million in AAVE tokens and the rollout of the Umbrella slashing mechanism have further reinforced bullish sentiment around the protocol’s long-term stability and growth. Looking ahead, a sustained move above $295 could open the gates for a retest of the $310–$320 resistance zone. On the downside, $260 and the $235 Supertrend base may serve as crucial support levels to watch in case of a retracement.

Ethereum (ETH)

Key points:

  • At press time, ETH was trading at $2,675, down 0.19% over the last 24 hours.

  • The price hovered near the 9-day SMA after facing rejection near the $2,725 resistance, while the Awesome Oscillator flipped red following a waning bullish trend.

What you should know:

ETH saw its recent upward momentum cool off after briefly touching the $2,726 level earlier today. Despite strong gains over the past week, the daily candle closed slightly lower, signaling hesitation near resistance. The 9-day Simple Moving Average continued to offer short-term support but showed signs of flattening, indicating slowing momentum. Meanwhile, the Awesome Oscillator flipped red after a prolonged green streak, suggesting a weakening bullish drive. Trading volume dipped slightly, reinforcing the notion of short-term consolidation. Fundamentally, ETH’s bullish undercurrent remained supported by record-breaking staking levels, with over $90 billion worth of ETH locked, driven largely by institutional demand and the rapid growth of liquid staking derivatives. Additionally, Ethereum spot ETFs saw over $800 million in inflows over the past 15 days, boosting ETH’s total crypto AUM and reinforcing investor confidence post-Pectra upgrade. A breakout above $2,725 could open the path toward the $2,850–$2,900 resistance zone. However, failure to hold above the $2,600 support may drag ETH back toward the $2,450–$2,500 range.

How was today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.