Anchorage Digital, the first U.S. federally chartered digital asset bank, has reportedly acquired 10,141 bitcoin—worth approximately $1.19 billion—over a nine-hour period.
On-chain analysis by Arkham Intelligence revealed that these funds were deposited into Anchorage-controlled addresses, though the bank itself has yet to officially confirm the acquisition.
Institutional strategy and execution
The bitcoin was transferred to Anchorage from multiple sources, suggesting the bank utilized over-the-counter (OTC) trading strategies.
Large institutions commonly use OTC trades to avoid triggering significant price movements on public exchanges and to secure more favorable prices.
The funds are now believed to be stored in multi-signature cold wallets, a standard security measure for regulated custodians.
Significance for bitcoin adoption
This large-scale acquisition is being viewed as a sign of increasing institutional confidence in bitcoin as an asset class.
As a federally regulated bank, Anchorage Digital’s participation is particularly notable for the legitimacy and credibility it brings to the broader market.
The company’s move comes after a recent expansion into the regulated stablecoin market, with a partnership to bring USDtb to the U.S. under the new GENIUS Act.
Market timing and risks
The timing of the acquisition is also notable: it occurred shortly after bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $123,091 on July 14, before pulling back to around $118,000.
While the purchase is significant, it does not come without challenges.
Regulatory uncertainty, cybersecurity concerns, and ongoing price volatility remain risks for large institutional holders.
