Bitcoin Updates: Bitcoin Drops 8% in October, Treasury Holdings Increase as Companies Strengthen Digital Asset Reserves

Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) has drawn attention by moving 2,348 Bitcoins—valued at $236 million—within the last 12 hours, marking a notable strategic action in the crypto industry. This move reflects a wider shift in

treasury strategies, as more institutions now view the cryptocurrency as a fundamental reserve asset. The transfer comes after a turbulent October for Bitcoin, which ended the month at $110,150—an 8% monthly drop—leading to a $18.8 billion decrease in the market value of publicly traded Bitcoin treasuries, according to . Nevertheless, companies such as , MicroStrategy, and have kept increasing their Bitcoin reserves, with total holdings reaching 804,680 BTC by the end of the month, the report noted.

This assertive accumulation by treasury-focused firms demonstrates a strategy that runs counter to market cycles, especially amid regulatory and economic uncertainties. Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which owns 640,808 BTC, recently revealed a 10.5% monthly dividend for its

shares, showing strong faith in its Bitcoin-based financial model. The company’s third-quarter results—$3.9 billion in profit versus a $432.6 million loss in the same period in 2024—have reinforced its aggressive Bitcoin buying. Meanwhile, MARA’s Q3 results, as reported by , showed a 92% year-over-year jump in revenue to $252 million, with net income at $123 million, and Bitcoin holdings nearly doubling to 52,850 BTC. Hut 8 also reported a 97% growth in its Bitcoin stash, now at 13,696 BTC, according to .

The drive among institutions to build up Bitcoin reserves has been strengthened by a shift in corporate focus toward diversifying energy and infrastructure. MARA’s CEO, Frederick Thiel, described the company’s evolution into a “vertically integrated digital infrastructure company,” combining Bitcoin mining with AI and energy initiatives, as reported by

. The acquisition of Exaion, a subsidiary of a French state-owned utility, and a 400-megawatt power project in Texas illustrate this new direction, the article added. Hut 8 is also expanding its North American operations to 2.5 gigawatts, using Bitcoin as a safeguard against energy price swings, Markets.com noted.

Regulatory shifts are also pointing to greater institutional acceptance of digital assets. The U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is currently assessing whether crypto assets should be factored into mortgage applications, according to

. Director Bill Pulte, who holds Bitcoin, mentioned that this review could change how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac measure borrower wealth. This review comes as MARA and other companies face questions about the practicality of using Bitcoin as a reserve. Despite a 13% drop in the value of Bitcoin treasury firms in October, institutional interest remains high, with continued investments in Bitcoin spot ETFs and preferred stocks like STRC.

Macroeconomic factors have also shaped market sentiment. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their gains in October, and crypto-related stocks such as MicroStrategy (up 5.87%) and MARA (up 2.87%) outperformed, according to

. Experts credit this strength to Bitcoin’s rising role as a strategic reserve, with nations like Bhutan and Dubai reportedly considering making it legal tender, per . Still, challenges remain: Bitcoin’s recent 6% slide to $99,000 and the possibility of higher U.S. interest rates could challenge even the most optimistic treasury strategies.

As MARA and its peers adapt to these changing conditions, their priorities are expanding operations and securing affordable energy to stay profitable. With MARA aiming for half its revenue to come from international markets by 2028, and the U.S. accounting for 37% of the global Bitcoin mining hashrate, the industry’s future will depend on balancing innovation with regulatory certainty. For now, MARA’s $236 million Bitcoin transfer highlights a sector in transition—where risk and opportunity go hand in hand.