1. U.S. State Pension Fund Invests $11M in BTC ETF
Michigan’s public pension fund has quietly become one of the first in the U.S. to allocate to Bitcoin.
According to a new SEC filing, the State of Michigan Retirement System purchased nearly $11 million worth of ARKB, the Ark 21Shares spot Bitcoin ETF. That makes it the second-largest public pension buyer of Bitcoin ETFs, just behind Wisconsin — and the first to back Cathie Wood’s offering.
Why does this matter? Because it shows Bitcoin exposure is becoming normal for traditional retirement portfolios. These are conservative institutions, managing the futures of thousands of workers — not headline-chasing traders.
Michigan’s move builds on a growing wave of institutional trust. And it sends a message: Bitcoin isn’t a fringe bet anymore. It’s part of the portfolio.
That kind of validation could open the door for more public funds to follow — and, potentially, for regulators to reevaluate how they define fiduciary duty when it comes to Bitcoin.
2. OTC Desks Running Dry
Behind the scenes, Bitcoin may be entering a demand shock.
Cointelegraph reports that over-the-counter trading desks — where large institutions quietly buy Bitcoin — are running low on supply.
And that’s a big deal. OTC activity doesn’t show up on exchanges, but it can have a powerful ripple effect. As whales and funds scoop up available coins, less Bitcoin is left floating — tightening the supply pipeline just as institutional demand ramps up.
Some analysts believe this could be an early sign of a major price breakout in the making — assuming macro conditions don’t throw a wrench in the gears.
3. Miners Tap Into AI’s $35B Gold Rush
Bitcoin mining firms are cashing in on the AI boom.
With data centers in high demand, several major miners are now leasing out their infrastructure to AI companies — tapping into a $35 billion opportunity, according to Cointelegraph.
These partnerships are a smart hedge. Mining revenue can be volatile, especially in bear markets, but AI services bring in stable, high-margin cash flow.
It’s a trend that could reshape how mining firms operate — and keep them profitable even when Bitcoin’s price cools off.
"I’m Ross Brand — tracking what matters in Bitcoin and helping you make sense of it."
Bitcoin Universe is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
