Bitcoin News Today: Sequans Bets $111M on Bitcoin as Market Doubts Institutional Treasuries

Pioneering Institutional Bitcoin Adoption: Sequans' $111M Coinbase Deposit

Sequans Communications (SQNS) has taken a bold step in institutional Bitcoin adoption by depositing $111 million into Coinbase, marking a significant move amid a broader industry struggle to align corporate Bitcoin treasury strategies with market realities. The company, which holds 3,234 BTC, recently announced a 10% American Depositary Share (ADS) buyback program, authorizing the repurchase of up to 1.57 million ADSs. However, its stock has declined 27% since the announcement, reflecting investor skepticism about the viability of Bitcoin-centric treasury models, according to a CoinDesk report.

The broader market for Bitcoin treasury companies remains under pressure, with nearly all such firms trading at a discount to the value of their BTC holdings. This trend has intensified as macroeconomic uncertainties and regulatory scrutiny weigh on investor sentiment. For instance, MicroStrategy (MSTR), the largest corporate Bitcoin holder with 640,808 BTC ($74 billion), recently received a B- speculative grade from S&P Global Ratings, highlighting concerns over its heavy exposure to Bitcoin's volatility and limited diversification. Despite these challenges, proponents argue that Bitcoin's role as a strategic reserve asset is gaining traction, particularly as institutional investors seek hedges against currency devaluation.

Market dynamics have also shifted with the recent surge in U.S. Bitcoin ETF inflows. US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $3.55 billion in weekly inflows in early October 2025, driven largely by BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust, which contributed to Bitcoin's price surpassing $126,000. This inflow momentum has fueled optimism among bulls, though critics caution that the asset's performance lags behind traditional equities and precious metals. Meanwhile, companies like Sequans are exploring alternative strategies to maximize BTC utility, including low-yield trading and liquidity strategies, akin to those employed by miners like MARA Holdings, as noted by CoinDesk.

The institutionalization of digital finance is further being propelled by new infrastructure initiatives. Hexorin Ltd., a U.S.-registered fintech firm, recently launched Hexorin's Global Institutional Service Platform tailored for sovereign funds, family offices, and banks. The platform emphasizes compliance with international regulations, including FinCEN's Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act, aiming to bridge traditional finance and blockchain ecosystems. Such developments underscore a growing recognition of the need for robust, compliant frameworks to support institutional participation in digital assets.

However, regulatory hurdles persist. Asian exchanges, including Hong Kong and Bombay Stock Exchange, have rejected Bitcoin treasury applications, citing volatility risks and a focus on financial stability. These challenges highlight the tension between institutional innovation and regulatory caution, a dynamic that will likely shape the future of corporate crypto strategies. For now, the market remains divided between bullish forecasts-such as Michael Saylor's prediction of a $21 million Bitcoin price within 21 years-and pragmatic assessments of liquidity and governance risks.