Bitcoin News Today: Ark Invest's Bold Crypto and AI Bets Defy Market Downturn

Ark Invest's $88 million purchase of crypto-related assets in late November 2025 underscores its unwavering confidence in the digital asset sector amid a broader market downturn. The firm, led by Cathie Wood, allocated significant capital to Block (SQ), Circle (CRCL), Coinbase (COIN), and its own Bitcoin ETF, even as Bitcoin prices fell to $87,948 from a six-week high of $126,000. The move aligns with Ark's long-standing strategy of accumulating undervalued tech and crypto equities during market declines, a tactic that has defined its investment philosophy.

The firm's largest single transaction involved $25 million in Block, Circle, and Coinbase shares, with Coinbase now representing the fourth-largest holding in the Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) at $391 million, or 5.22% of the fund's portfolio. Circle, the stablecoin issuer, accounts for 2.39% of ARKK's holdings at $179 million, while Block contributes $85.2 million according to reports. Ark also added $1.52 million in Bullish (BLSH), $878,794 in Robinhood Markets (HOOD), and $2.8 million in its Ark-21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB). These purchases were executed through multiple ETFs, including ARKK, the Ark Fintech Innovation ETF, and the Ark Next Generation Internet ETF .

The timing of the trades reflects Ark's opportunistic approach as crypto stocks faced sharp declines. Block shares fell 20.54% in the past month, Circle dropped 51%, and Coinbase lost 30% of its value. Despite these losses, Wood's firm has continued to bolster its positions, viewing the downturn as a buying opportunity. "The fact that so many people are worried that we are in an AI cycle, like the tech and telecom bubble, actually reassures me," Wood stated in a recent podcast, distinguishing the current AI and crypto landscape from speculative bubbles of the past.

The Bitcoin's price action has also influenced Ark's strategy. The asset's 30% drop from its peak coincided with thin liquidity and macroeconomic uncertainty, yet Ark's Bitcoin ETF holdings increased by $600,000, primarily through ARKB. The firm's broader portfolio expansion included $16.8 million in Bullish, $15 million in Circle, and $7.6 million in BitMine Immersion Technologies (BMNR), a Bitcoin mining infrastructure provider .

The investment thesis extends beyond crypto. Ark simultaneously added $56 million in Alphabet (GOOG), the parent company of Google, and $29.4 million in AI cloud computing firm CoreWeave (CRWV). Wood's firm has maintained a bullish stance on AI despite concerns of overvaluation, emphasizing the sector's technological readiness compared to the speculative nature of the 2000s tech bubble.

The firm's actions signal a belief in the resilience of digital assets and blockchain infrastructure. With Bitcoin stabilizing near $87,000 and Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations rising to 80%, Ark's aggressive accumulation suggests a strategic bet on long-term growth in both crypto and AI-driven innovation.