MicroStrategy copycats are getting out of control as Canadian vape company joins fray
On Monday, a little-known Canadian vape company saw its stock surge on plans to enter the crypto treasury game – but this time with Binance Coin (BNB), the fourth largest cryptocurrency by market cap, excluding the dollar-pegged stablecoin Tether (USDT), according to CoinGecko.
Shares of CEA Industries, which trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker VAPE, rocketed more than 800% at one point after the company announced its plans. CEA, along with investment firm 10X Capital and YZi Labs, said it would offer a $500 million private placement to raise proceeds to buy Binance Coin for its corporate treasury. Shares ended the session up nearly 550%, giving the company a market cap of about $48 million.
Given the more crypto-friendly regulatory environment this year, more public companies have adopted the MicroStrategy playbook of using debt financing and equity sales to buy bitcoin to hold on their balance sheet to try to increase shareholder returns, pushing bitcoin to new records.
Now, with the S&P 500 trading at new records, the resurgence of meme mania and a pro-crypto White House supporting the crypto industry, investors are looking further out on the risk spectrum of crypto hoping for bigger gains.
In recent months, investors have rotated out of bitcoin and into ether, which led to a burst of companies seeking a similar treasury strategy around ether. SharpLink Gaming, whose board is chaired by Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin, was one of the first to make the move. Other companies like DeFi Development Corp, renamed from Janover, are making similar moves around Solana.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Business News
4 hours ago
- Time Business News
Lighting the Future: Why Gobo Projectors Are the Unexpected Stars of Outdoor Branding in 2025
Let's get one thing straight: in a world where everything is plastered on screens—from our wrists to our refrigerators—it's kind of wild that the coolest branding tool in 2025 isn't a screen at all. It's light. Specifically, gobo projectors. Yeah, I know—sounds like some sci-fi gadget Tony Stark would casually build in his garage. But trust me, these projection powerhouses are very real, very stylish, and making waves in everything from outdoor advertising to AI-driven public art. Once the domain of haunted houses and dusty theaters, gobo projectors are having a serious glow-up. They're now lighting up smart cities, festivals, eco-resorts—even the sides of entire skyscrapers. And if you're a brand trying to make an impact without building another flashy LED screen, gobo tech is the unsung hero you didn't know you needed. Let's break down the best of the best—and spoiler alert: the number one pick comes from a rising company that's absolutely crushing it right now, Innaya Store. You ever walk past a building at night and see a glowing logo so crisp it looks Photoshopped onto the wall? That was probably the HD1200. This beast of a projector is turning the game on its head—and it's no wonder people are calling it the top gobo projector of the year. It's got the kind of brightness that makes your brand visible from across the street—or across the parking lot, even if it's raining sideways. With over 4,000 lumens, interchangeable lenses, and IP65 waterproofing (translation: weather-proof beast), the HD1200 is built for serious outdoor domination. Whether you're launching a luxury car or hosting a music festival in the woods, this is the projector that makes people pull out their phones and say, 'Wait— how'd they do that ?' Honestly, if you're trying to be unforgettable, this is your move. And yes, I may have used it at my cousin's wedding. No regrets. Think of this one as your go-to SUV. It's tough, it's dependable, and while it doesn't scream for attention like the HD1200, it'll get the job done without breaking a sweat. Made with die-cast aluminum and built for long-term installs, this one's perfect for parks, festivals, and permanent installations where you just want something to work—rain or shine, night after night. Bonus: the passive cooling system means no noisy fans. Which, if you've ever tried to project next to a yoga retreat or a TED-style talk in a forest, matters . This one is huge . Literally. The GOLUX Plus 1000 can project up to 300 meters—which is basically the size of your average skyscraper or, say, a small moon (okay, I'm exaggerating, but you get the point). Perfect for stadiums, government buildings, or any place where subtlety isn't part of the vibe, this projector is pure spectacle. That said, it's bulky, power-hungry, and best reserved for big-budget operations. Definitely not the one you toss in the backseat for a pop-up market. Now here's one for the tree huggers and the budget watchers. The EcoBright is solar-powered, silent, and perfect for eco-resorts, smart trails, or any brand that wants to go green and glow bright. I've personally seen it used to project wayfinding signs on a national park trail at dusk—no wires, no emissions, just clean, beautiful light. Let's just say this one gets bonus points for being both sustainable and functional. It's basically the Prius of gobo projectors (if the Prius looked this cool). Here's where things get fun. The FX Series adds motion to your visuals—spinning logos, dancing arrows, animated patterns. It's not the brightest in the lineup, but it knows how to make an entrance. I saw this used to project a rotating galaxy onto a tree canopy at a night market, and I swear it made the churros taste better. For close-range activations, immersive pop-ups, and anything experiential, this is a rock-solid choice. Let's face it—people are over static billboards and 2D signage. We want interaction. We want experiences. We want to be wowed. Gobo projectors offer: Low energy use (especially with LED or solar models) (especially with LED or solar models) Easy setup and programming and programming Surprising versatility —walls, sidewalks, trees, tents, you name it —walls, sidewalks, trees, tents, you name it Major Instagram appeal And unlike LED walls, you don't need a permit, a forklift, and a team of five to get started. In an era where digital ads get blocked and attention spans are shorter than a TikTok soundbite, a glowing logo on a sidewalk just works . We're living in a time when the line between digital and physical is practically non-existent. And brands that win are the ones that create moments worth remembering. Whether it's projecting a logo onto a mountainside, lighting up a trail with real-time quotes, or turning a storefront into an interactive art piece, gobo projectors are quietly becoming one of the most powerful outdoor tools of the decade. And leading that charge? You guessed it: Innaya Store. With innovations like the HD1200 and EcoBright 50W, they're not just selling hardware—they're selling possibility. So if you're ready to light up your brand, literally—this is your sign. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prediction: USDC Will Be Worth $1 in 10 Years
Key Points USDC is designed to stay at $1, and that's likely to hold true for years to come. Stablecoins like USDC aren't really investment vehicles, but tools that make your crypto-trading experience a little smoother. 10 stocks we like better than USDC › I'm not sticking my neck out very far today. It's still worth saying, though: The USDC (CRYPTO: USDC) stablecoin will be worth $1 per coin in 2035. There you go. The same coin is also worth $1 today, and I don't expect much volatility over the next decade. Any time you sample USDC's latest price, it should be no more than 0.1% away from the intended value. Right now, for example, it's 0.02% below the $1 price target, and that's not a typo. I really mean two one-hundredths of one percent. That's how stable this coin is. I could say the same thing about Tether (CRYPTO: USDT), Ripple USD (CRYPTO: RLUSD), and TrueUSD (CRYPTO: TUSD). Applying the same statement to algorithmic and crypto-backed options like Dai (CRYPTO: DAI) would be a slightly greater risk, but I'm feeling adventurous today -- all five of these robust stablecoins will be worth $1 in 10 years. And that's exactly what makes them valuable. Let me explain. The unsung heroes of your crypto toolbox A cryptocurrency that sticks closely to $1 for decades may not sound like a great investment. And you're right -- stablecoins exist for a different purpose. They don't build wealth over time and they don't execute smart contracts. Some of them offer reasonable interest rates, like a savings account in the cryptocurrency space. But generally speaking, stablecoins aren't great investments on their own. Most crypto investors end up using stablecoins from time to time -- perhaps without even noticing it. Let's say you just opened a Coinbase (NASDAQ: COIN) account, sending in $1,000 from a traditional bank account to fund your first crypto investments. The first thing that happens is that Coinbase converts the $1,000 dollar-based funding into USDC. Coinbase classifies your USDC balance as a "cash" position. It's presented right next to a US dollar balance, which is available if you insist but usually shows a zero-dollar total. You see, USDC is a much more convenient way for Coinbase to move dollar-based funds around in its systems. The company also has a direct financial interest in USDC, having co-launched it in a collaboration with Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) seven years ago. So Coinbase prefers trading in your dollars for USDC coins, and then you can treat that stablecoin exactly as you would manage an actual cash balance in the same account. Coinbase currently offers a 4.1% annual percentage yield on USDC coins, but direct dollar holdings don't earn any interest. Just one more reason to store your old-school cash in the newfangled stablecoin format. How USDC and Tether keep their dollar peg The largest stablecoins, like Tether and USDC, are backed by actual cash reserves. The coin managers match the total market value of their stablecoins with an equal amount of financial assets, usually in the form of interest-bearing federal Treasury bonds. That may sound boring, but it's a classic business model with strong echoes of traditional banking. It's a lucrative system, too. Circle Internet generated $1.66 billion of revenue from its interest-bearing cash reserves in 2024. The USDC backing accounts held $43.9 billion of cash equivalents at the end of last year. Coinbase reported $910.5 million of stablecoin revenues for the same period, reflecting its USDC interests. So there are strong ties between the stablecoin universe and the good old U.S. dollar. Stablecoins are not investments, but handy tools for moving money around in an all-digital system. And they form a user-friendly bridge between the two economies. I think of the decent interest rate as a thank-you note, rewarding me for helping Coinbase run a smoother trading platform. The risks behind algorithmic stablecoins The cash reserves behind leading stablecoins such as USDC, TrueUSD, and Tether give me confidence in their long-term robustness. Come back in five years, or 10, or 20, and I expect their prices to stay exactly where they are today. As long as their backers remain in business, the stablecoins will be worth a dollar. In a perfect world, I'd have the same unshakable confidence in experimental stablecoins like Dai. However, Dai's backers don't hold massive cash reserves. Instead, the stablecoin's $1 value relies on mathematical algorithms and some Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) holdings. Sudden shifts in Ethereum's valuation could move Dai's value far away from $1, at least temporarily. The algorithmic stablecoin meltdown of 2022 demonstrated the risks of this approach, though Dai's Ethereum basis should be reliable enough. That's why I'm keeping an asterisk next to this particular $1 price target. But yeah, most of today's leading stablecoins will surely be worth $1 per coin in 2025, including USDC. And that's alright. I'm not really investing in USDC, anyway. Do the experts think USDC is a buy right now? The Motley Fool's expert analyst team, drawing on years of investing experience and deep analysis of thousands of stocks, leverages our proprietary Moneyball AI investing database to uncover top opportunities. They've just revealed their to buy now — did USDC make the list? When our Stock Advisor analyst team has a stock recommendation, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is up 1,036% vs. just 181% for the S&P — that is beating the market by 855.09%!* Imagine if you were a Stock Advisor member when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $625,254!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,090,257!* The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025 Anders Bylund has positions in Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum. The Motley Fool recommends Coinbase Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: USDC Will Be Worth $1 in 10 Years was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Crypto Treasury Companies Risk Ignoring Lessons from History, Warns Galaxy
The rapidly-expanding crop of public companies using their stock to accumulate digital asset treasuries ought to trigger lessons from history about the way compounded risks can spread through the financial system and then dramatically unravel, warns a report on the trend by Galaxy Digital. The growth model of Digital Asset Treasury Companies (DATCOs), which now account for over $100 billion in digital assets, critically depends on a persistent equity premium to net asset value (NAV), driven by the up-only trajectory of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum tokens (ETH). If the premium collapses, or worse, flips to a discount, the model begins to break. Fear of missing out on the Bitcoin treasury play presents an interesting parallel with the rush into investment trusts of the 1920s, a reflexive loop and mass speculative pathology, which saw new trusts launched at a rate of one per day, and Goldman Sachs Trading Corporation becoming the MicroStrategy of its day. Explicitly pursuing a business model of accumulating digital assets (usually bitcoin) is a blueprint established by Michael Saylor's Strategy (MSTR), which began BTC accumulation in 2020; other large entrants to the DATCO space are Metaplanet (3350.T) and SharpLink Gaming (SBET). If one or two companies pursue this route in isolation, it may not matter much to the broader ecosystem, Galaxy said in its report, but ten or so firms a week are now crowding into this trade. These DATCOs are largely correlated, both to each other and to the underlying cryptoasset markets upon which they are built. If redemptions or buybacks become widespread among firms, that could be the beginning of a larger-scale unwind, Galaxy said. 'By now, the playbook is clear and capital is pouring in. But this is part of the risk. When hundreds of firms adopt the same one-directional trade (raise equity, buy crypto, repeat), it can become structurally fragile. A downturn in any of these three variables (investor sentiment, crypto prices, and capital markets liquidity) can start to unravel the rest,' said the report. An unwind in the DATCO trade could exert significant downward pressure on digital asset prices themselves. In the same way that inflows from treasury companies have served as a 'persistent bid' for bitcoin, outflows driven by redemptions would likely have the opposite effect. At the very least, there could be a halt in net accumulation, Galaxy said. The DATCO trend may still be some way off reaching crescendo, yet several firms' stocks are already beginning to flirt with discounts to NAV. In such cases, these companies may start buying back stock to arbitrage the discount, using their digital asset reserves or operational cash. (Already, Bitmine has secured board approval to repurchase up to $1 billion worth of its shares whenever management sees fit to do so.) One possible result of an unwind is sector consolidation, Galaxy predicts. Larger, better-capitalized players like Strategy (MSTR), still trading at a premium, may begin acquiring smaller DATCOs at NAV discounts. These transactions would effectively allow buyers to acquire BTC at a discount using their own equity. However, this only works as long as the acquirer retains a premium. 'As these firms continue to scale, their influence over digital asset markets grows accordingly. An unwind would weaken the strongest tailwind crypto has had this cycle: the normalization of digital assets on corporate balance sheets,' Galaxy said. 'An unwinding of the DATCO trade could conceivably dull the public equity markets' appetite for digital asset exposure of any kind, slowing inflows into crypto ETFs, which, all else equal, would weigh on the underlying cryptocurrencies' prices.'
