In a significant move within the cryptocurrency landscape, UK-listed B HODL Plc has officially acquired 100 Bitcoin worth approximately $11.3 million. This purchase is part of the company’s newly established corporate treasury strategy, positioning B HODL among the top 100 publicly listed companies globally that hold the cryptocurrency. The acquisition follows the company’s recent debut on London’s Aquis Stock Exchange under the ticker “HODL,” where it successfully raised £15.3 million ($20.7 million) to advance its long-term strategy related to digital assets.
Following the announcement of the Bitcoin purchase, B HODL’s share price surged by 38%, reaching £22.09 ($29.77) from its initial listing price, solidifying its position as the 98th firm on Bitcoin Treasuries’ list, which tracks public companies’ Bitcoin holdings.
The management at B HODL stated that their strategic focus lies in the disciplined accumulation of Bitcoin, leveraging this reserve to bolster operations on the Lightning Network—a technology designed to facilitate faster and cost-effective Bitcoin transactions. By running nodes on the Lightning Network, B HODL aims to generate additional revenue from routing fees, thereby strengthening its foothold in the rapidly evolving digital asset sector.
In comparison, the landscape of UK-based treasury firms shows that B HODL still trails behind others with larger reserves. The Smarter Web Company currently leads with an impressive 2,525 Bitcoin, estimated at $286 million, ranking it 29th worldwide. Recently, Smarter Web issued a Bitcoin-denominated convertible bond valued at $21 million, reporting a staggering yield of 49,198% amidst its ongoing evolution into the crypto space.
Following Smarter Web, Satsuma holds 1,149 Bitcoin, predominantly raised from investors, while Phoenix Digital Assets ranks third with 247 Bitcoin. Notably, firms like V HODL and Vaultz Capital round out the top contenders in the UK market. In contrast, U.S.-based firms dominate global corporate Bitcoin holdings, with Strategy, a business intelligence company led by Michael Saylor, significantly increasing its reserves to a staggering 639,835 Bitcoin, valued at approximately $72 billion.
While enthusiasm for Bitcoin treasury strategies remains, recent research by K33 indicates a cooling trend. A quarter of public companies holding Bitcoin now trade below the value of their Bitcoin reserves, complicating avenues for raising capital through share sales. Companies such as Tether-backed Twenty One and Semler Scientific face trading under their net asset values.
As the UK’s cryptocurrency landscape evolves, notable shifts in adoption and regulation are emerging. An Aviva survey revealed that 27% of UK adults are inclined to add cryptocurrency to their retirement plans, with 23% considering withdrawing pension funds for direct investments. Given the UK’s extensive £3.8 trillion pension assets, even modest changes in investment behavior could have substantial impact, although available regulated options are limited in comparison to the U.S. market.
To facilitate this growing interest, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has initiated efforts to cut down the approval times for crypto businesses, reducing the wait from 17 months to just over five months and increasing approval rates to 45%. However, the number of applications has dropped from 46 in 2022–23 to 26 in 2024–25 as the regulator prepares a comprehensive framework for digital asset regulation slated for 2026.
In a significant regulatory update, the UK government will enforce stringent crypto reporting regulations starting January 1, 2026, mandating compliance for firms to collect complete customer information and log every trade. These reporting requirements will extend to companies, trusts, and charities following the OECD framework. Non-compliance could lead to fines of up to £300 per user, reflecting the government’s intent to tighten oversight and combat fraud as the adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to rise.
