Bitcoin (BTC-USD) surged above $100,000 on Thursday for the first time since February.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose alongside the overall market after President Trump unveiled a trade deal with the UK, signaling a deescalation of tariffs.
Coinbase’s (COIN) announcement earlier in the day about the crypto exchange’s deal to acquire options platform Deribit for $2.9 billion also helped boost sentiment in the sector.
Bitcoin rose as much as 4% to trade north of $100,900 near 11:30 a.m. ET on Thursday as Trump spoke in the Oval Office about the UK agreement and indicated other countries also want to strike trade deals with the US.
Bitcoin fell as low as $75,000 in the days following Trump’s “reciprocal” tariff announcement on April 2, otherwise known as “Liberation Day.”
Bitcoin sentiment has grown increasingly bullish during the stock market’s recovery. Signs that companies are taking a cue from firms like Strategy (MSTR) and adding crypto to their balance sheets have also bolstered sentiment toward the sector.
In a note earlier this week, Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani said approximately 80 companies have “adopted the ‘Bitcoin Standard,’ adding Bitcoin treasury exposure to their balance sheets, owning ~3.4% of the total BTC supply.”
“The implications for Bitcoin — more resilient corporate/institutional capital supporting through the cycle downturns and accelerated supply squeeze as public corporates continue buying Bitcoin,” Chhugani added.
Year to date, bitcoin is up more than 8%.
Coinbase Global (COIN) has reached an agreement to acquire crypto options platform Deribit for $2.9 billion, one of the most significant deals ever for the cryptocurrency industry.
The deal marks another milestone for Coinbase, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the US, after missing out for years on the wider transaction volumes and margins that other exchanges captured from derivatives trading.
Coinbase’s stock rose over 4% on the announcement. The Wall Street Journal first reported the deal.
“This isn’t just more products — it’s deeper liquidity, tighter spreads, and better tools for institutional and retail traders alike,” Greg Tusar, Coinbase’s head of institutional product, said in an emailed statement.
Deribit “isn’t just another addition,” he added in a blog post.
The acquisition follows Coinbase’s purchase of asset manager One River Digital in 2023, derivatives exchange FairX in 2022, crypto brokerage platform Tagomi in 2020, and custody business Xapo in 2019.
Coinbase is paying for Deribit with a mix of its own common stock and $700 million in cash.
The deal is the latest example of how the crypto industry has emerged as one of the few bright spots for merger and acquisition activity this year, even as other industries hold back amid the economic uncertainties triggered by President Trump’s trade wars and tariffs.
The biggest driver of that crypto optimism is Trump’s continued embrace of digital assets. He is pushing for more favorable regulation of the industry, and Coinbase is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries.
Some other big crypto deals so far this year include Coinbase’s US rival Kraken announcing an agreement to purchase crypto futures trading platform Ninja Trader for $1.5 billion in March and Ripple Labs agreeing last month to buy crypto broker and financing firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion.
Coinbase reports first quarter earnings Thursday afternoon. Its profits are expected to decline, while net revenue is expected to jump compared to a year ago. It recognized a $737 accounting gain on its crypto asset holdings in the first three months of last year.
Alpha Morgan Bank has announced a landmark financial performance, recording Profit Before Tax of N1.9 billion in just 10 months of operations, a result that stands as a major milestone in Nigeria’s banking industry and reinforces the Bank’s emergence as one of the country’s most remarkable new-generation financial institutions.
With this performance, Alpha Morgan Bank did not only break-even within an exceptionally short period, but also delivered what is believed to be a record-setting early-profit performance in the Nigerian banking sector, underlining the strength of its strategy, the discipline of its execution and the confidence the market has placed in its business model.
The Bank’s strong debut performance was supported by robust growth across key financial and operating indicators. Highlights of the 10-month financial statement include customer deposit of over ₦103BN, gross earning of ₦13.1 billion, net interest margin of 67%, non-performing loan ratio of 0%.
The performance was driven largely by strong synergy in customer acquisition and branch expansion, a deliberate focus on growth in demand deposits, creation of quality risk assets and balance sheet efficiency. These achievements were further supported by robust operational processes powered by sound technology and systems, management depth and expertise, experience and strategic oversight provided by the Bank’s Board.
Speaking on the performance, the Managing Director, Ade Buraimo, described the result as a significant validation of the Bank’s vision, business model and execution capacity.
“This is more than a financial milestone; it is a strong statement of what is possible when vision, discipline, sound execution, and market opportunity come together. From inception, Alpha Morgan Bank was built to be a commercial bank that is solution-driven and committed to delivering value at scale. To record a PBT of N1.9 billion in our first 10 months of operations is both historic and deeply encouraging. It reflects the dedication of our people, the trust of our customers and the solid foundation we have laid for long-term growth.”
About Alpha Morgan Bank
Alpha Morgan Bank is a customer-centric, innovative, and solutions-driven commercial bank, with a clear commitment to delivering “Satisfying Banking.”
Alpha Morgan Bank commenced operations in March 2025 with the rare distinction of regulatory approval for 14 branches across the country. This early footprint, combined with disciplined market execution, has enabled the Bank to build momentum across key business segments in record time.
Alpha Morgan Bank focuses on:
Human-Centred Technology: Digital tools designed for intuitive, everyday relevance and not vanity metrics.
Transparent Operations: From pricing to service promises, every process is clear, accountable, and customer friendly.
Customer-Centric Innovation: Continuously developing solutions and services driven by customer insights to deliver meaningful value and enhance satisfaction.
More than a financial institution, Alpha Morgan Bank positions itself as a partner in progress. Its vision is to drive possibilities, enable dreams, and reemphasize what it means to experience Satisfying Banking in Nigeria.
BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal—-French champions edge Gunners 4-3 on penalties in Budapest to secure back-to-back European crowns.
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna. PSG became only the second club in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy in successive seasons.
Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when Kai Havertz fired the Premier League champions into an early lead in the sixth minute, giving Mikel Arteta’s side hope of winning the club’s first-ever Champions League title.
The holders responded in the second half, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé converting a penalty in the 65th minute after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, bringing PSG level and setting up a tense finish.
Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or extra time, forcing the final into a dramatic penalty shootout. PSG held their nerve from the spot, while Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive penalty, blasting his effort over the crossbar.
The victory caps another remarkable European campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who reached the final after eliminating FC Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and entered the showpiece as defending champions.
For Arsenal, the defeat is a heartbreaking end to an otherwise historic season. Arteta’s men arrived in Budapest having won their first Premier League title in 22 years and reached their first Champions League final since 2006, but they fell just short of completing a memorable double.
PSG’s triumph further cements their place among Europe’s elite, while Arsenal will be left to reflect on a campaign that brought domestic glory but ended in European heartbreak.
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