Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, executed another significant Bitcoin transfer on Wednesday, moving 281 BTC, valued at over $31 million, from Coinbase Prime custody to a new wallet. This latest transaction continues a series of large-scale Bitcoin movements by the company, which has not publicly commented on the reasons behind these transfers. The company’s Bitcoin holdings are estimated at 8,285 BTC, approximately $894 million, positioning it as the fourth-largest private corporate Bitcoin treasury.
Recent Bitcoin Activity
The Wednesday transfer follows numerous similar transactions last week, involving hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Bitcoin. Prior to a move three months ago, SpaceX had not interacted with its Bitcoin reserves for three years. The purpose of these recent transfers remains unclear, with possibilities ranging from a change in storage strategy to preparations for a sale or other uses of the digital asset.
Historical Holdings and Tesla’s Position
SpaceX’s current holding of 8,285 BTC marks a reduction from its 2022 peak of 25,000 BTC. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, holds 11,509 BTC, valued at over $1.24 billion, placing it among the top publicly traded companies with Bitcoin treasuries. Tesla also recently benefited from new accounting rules, allowing it to revalue its holdings and report over $600 million in quarterly profits as Bitcoin prices surged following President Trump’s election. Tesla’s last on-chain activity was in October 2024, when it similarly transferred its Bitcoin to new wallets without public explanation.
Musk’s Evolving Stance on Bitcoin
Elon Musk has notably shifted his public stance on Bitcoin’s energy consumption. In a recent social media discussion, Musk praised Bitcoin’s energy demands, a contrast to his criticisms in 2021 regarding the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining. His current perspective suggests that Bitcoin, alongside precious metals, is rising due to a “debasement” trend driven by the funding of an “AI arms race.”
