Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin faces institutional sell-off pressure as $9B BTC exits, Bitcoin Hyper presale hits $5.4M

Bitcoin faces mounting pressure as a long-time holder, speculated to possess coins from the cryptocurrency’s early era, offloaded $9 billion in BTC. The transaction, verified by Galaxy Digital, has intensified concerns over institutional influence and the erosion of Bitcoin’s core principles [1]. Analyst Scott Melker flagged the move on social media, suggesting institutional dominance could pressure early adopters to liquidate holdings [1]. Despite this, Bitcoin ETFs have seen over $1 billion in net inflows over two days this month, highlighting mixed market signals.

Critics argue Bitcoin’s role as a store of value—rather than a medium of exchange—poses long-term risks. Declining transaction volume could weaken network security as mining rewards wane, a concern amplified by institutional strategies like Strategy’s $2 billion "Stretch" Preferred Stock offering [2]. Kyle Samani of Multicoin Capital, however, argues institutional participation aligns with Bitcoin’s censorship-resistant ethos [3].

Bitcoin Hyper (HYPER) emerges as a potential solution. By integrating Solana’s Virtual Machine (SVM) with Bitcoin’s architecture, the project aims to transform BTC into a programmable, scalable asset. Its Layer-2 network seeks to drive real-world adoption through DeFi and gaming while anchoring security to Bitcoin’s base layer [4]. The presale, which has raised $5.4 million in 53 days, reflects strong investor interest [4].

The project’s bridge mechanism allows users to lock BTC and mint wrapped tokens for Layer-2 transactions, ensuring on-chain activity generates fee revenue critical for mining sustainability. Developers argue this dual-layer approach addresses Bitcoin’s core risk: reliance on block rewards without sufficient transaction volume.

The presale is now in its final phase. With less than 10 hours remaining, the current HYPER price of $0.012425 will rise, raising accessibility concerns for latecomers. No hard cap has been set, and the $5.4 million raised is deemed sufficient to advance the Layer-2 vision [5].

While Bitcoin’s decentralization ensures its survival, the ecosystem must evolve to avoid stagnation. Projects like Bitcoin Hyper signal a shift toward utility, positioning Bitcoin as both digital gold and a foundation for innovation. As the presale concludes, market observers will assess whether this initiative can redefine Bitcoin’s trajectory amid evolving challenges.

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[1] [title] [url](https://twitter.com/scottmelker/status/1949093339170546157)

[2] [title] [url](https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/bitcoin-faces-doomsday-scenario-as-whales-exit-bitcoin-hyper-hyper-rewrites-the-narrative-ico-hits-5-4m/)

[3] [title] [url](https://twitter.com/KyleSamani/status/144****753920078056)

[4] [title] [url](https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/bitcoin-faces-doomsday-scenario-as-whales-exit-bitcoin-hyper-hyper-rewrites-the-narrative-ico-hits-5-4m/)

[5] [title] [url](https://99bitcoins.com/news/presales/bitcoin-faces-doomsday-scenario-as-whales-exit-bitcoin-hyper-hyper-rewrites-the-narrative-ico-hits-5-4m/)