David Bailey Raises $300 Million for New Bitcoin Investment Firm

NEW YORK, May 8, 2025 — David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc. and a crypto advisor to former President Donald Trump, has raised $300 million to establish a publicly traded Bitcoin investment firm called Nakamoto. The funding includes $200 million in equity and $100 million in convertible debt, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The fundraising effort has been in progress since January, and an official announcement regarding the merger with a Nasdaq-listed company is expected as early as next week. Nakamoto plans to focus on acquiring and holding Bitcoin, with the goal of going public this summer.

Sources indicated that Nakamoto intends to invest in businesses worldwide, including sectors in Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa. The venture is backed by a number of notable investors and features a distinguished advisory board from both financial and cryptocurrency sectors.

Bailey’s announcement comes amid a surge of interest in Bitcoin from institutional investors, with a trend of companies transitioning into Bitcoin investment vehicles. CoinDesk previously reported on various fundraising activities by other firms in the space, contributing to the increasing competition for Bitcoin exposure.

A well-known example is Michael Saylor, founder of Strategy, who began converting his company’s cash reserves into Bitcoin in 2020, transforming it into one of the largest Bitcoin holders globally.

Jack Mallers, founder of the Strike payments app, has also garnered attention with his venture Twenty One, which aims to attract Bitcoin investors with a unique capital-efficient model. “What we pride ourselves on is being blue-chip credibility with startup upside,” Mallers said during a recent interview.

The rapid development of new Bitcoin firms, including Bailey’s Nakamoto, reflects a growing trend toward institutional engagement with Bitcoin as a legitimate investment. Reports noted that Nakamoto’s official announcement and Nasdaq merger details are anticipated shortly.