Genius Group, an AI-powered Bitcoin treasury and education company, disclosed in its first-quarter 2026 results that it has sold the remainder of its Bitcoin holdings to pay down debt. The move marks a notable shift for a company that had branded itself with a “Bitcoin first” strategy just over a year earlier, and it arrives amid a broader wave of corporate liquidations in crypto treasuries.

The company said it would recommence building its Bitcoin Treasury when market conditions are more favorable, signaling a potential pivot back to crypto accumulation once the macro backdrop allows. Genius Group had been gradually reducing its holdings since mid-2025 after a period when it was temporarily barred by a U.S. court from expanding its Bitcoin budget. Although the firm had held 84 BTC as of March 2026, the latest liquidation effectively ends its current Bitcoin exposure, consistent with the phrasing that it “sold the remainder” in the first quarter.

The disclosure comes as Genius Group reported a strong start to 2026. First-quarter revenue climbed 171% year-over-year to $3.3 million, while gross profit rose 228% to $2 million. The company swung from a $500,000 operating loss in Q1 2025 to a net profit of $2.7 million in Q1 2026, underscoring improving fundamentals even as its crypto treasury strategy has shifted away from Bitcoin holding expansion.

Key takeaways

• Genius Group confirms the sale of its remaining Bitcoin holdings in Q1 2026 to reduce debt, with the implication that its Bitcoin treasury is no longer a current asset.
• The company had previously pledged a “Bitcoin first” approach in November 2024, aiming to keep 90% or more of reserves in Bitcoin; the Q1 move signals a strategic reversal in the near term.
• Other notable corporate moves reflect a broader trend: Mara.

  Holdings liquidated a large chunk of its BTC to fund debt paydown, cutting its treasury to 38,689 BTC, while Bitdeer and several other firms also sold portions of their holdings in 2026.

• Despite the selloffs, Michael Saylor’s Strategy remains the standout counterpoint, with ongoing Bitcoin accumulation that has drawn significant attention from investors tracking corporate exposure to BTC.

Corporate treasuries in flux

Genius Group’s decision to liquidate its Bitcoin reserve underscores a growing divergence in how companies are approaching crypto treasuries during a bear-market environment. The Q1 2026 results show other parts of the business performing strongly even as the crypto allocation changes. Genius Group’s revenue growth and profitability improvement point to a broader trend: non-crypto operations are resonating with investors even as Bitcoin exposure is trimmed back for now.

The timing aligns with a string of high-profile sales across the corporate crypto space this year. Mara Holdings disclosed the sale of 15,133 BTC for roughly $1.1 billion in March, a move designed to repurchase convertible senior notes and allocate capital to other corporate needs. The liquidation reduced Mara’s BTC holdings to about 38,689 BTC, positioning the company among the largest corporate BTC treasuries behind Twenty One Capital. The proceeds were aimed at stabilizing the balance sheet and financing debt-related needs.

Other notable actions included Bitdeer liquidating its entire BTC stash of 943 coins and selling newly mined BTC, driving corporate holdings to zero in February. Cango Inc. also disclosed the sale of a portion of its 4,451 BTC treasury, while GD Culture Group authorized the sale of some of its 7,500 BTC reserve in February. Taken together, these moves illustrate a broader calendar in which several tech- and mining-adjacent firms have prioritized de-risking and liquidity over immediate BTC accumulation.

Two voices: the bear-market buyers and the bear-market sellers

Amid the wave of disposals, one voice remains conspicuously active in Bitcoin accumulation. Michael Saylor’s Strategy, often cited as the largest corporate Bitcoin treasury, has continued buying through 2026. Analysts and trackers note that the Strategy has purchased thousands of BTC this year, maintaining a steady rhythm of accumulation that stands in contrast to the broader corporate exodus from BTC holdings. The latest figures show a cumulative total in the vicinity of tens of thousands of BTC for the year, with the Saylor Tracker documenting ongoing purchases and the overall size of the Strategy’s treasury rising despite market volatility.

The divergence between the “buy, hold, repeat” posture of the Saylor Strategy and the liquidity-focused exits by other corporate holders highlights a central tension in the crypto ecosystem: a speculative, macro-driven bear market versus a long-horizon, treasury-focused narrative that sees bitcoin as a balance-sheet asset rather than a pure bet on price alone. Investors watching corporate behaviors should pay attention to whether these selling waves represent opportunistic balance-sheet management or a broader reallocation away from BTC as a reserve asset.

What this means for investors and builders

For investors, Genius Group’s latest move is a reminder that corporate crypto policies are fluid and highly contingent on debt levels, liquidity needs, and broader market conditions. A company that once championed Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset is now prioritizing debt reduction and operating profitability, signaling that crypto is increasingly treated as one instrument within a diversified capital-allocation framework rather than a guaranteed anchor for all reserves.

For users and builders in the crypto space, the pattern of asset reallocation among corporate treasuries could influence market liquidity and the availability of BTC on exchange networks. As sales from large holders continue, buyers at different risk tolerances may emerge, potentially affecting price dynamics. Yet, the ongoing accumulation by the Saylor Strategy serves as a counterweight, suggesting that long-term holders continue to see BTC as a strategic asset rather than a short-term liquidity sink.

Regulatory and macro developments will also color the next phase. If the operating environment supports continued debt management and profitability for technology-driven firms, we may see more measured rebalancing rather than outright liquidations. Conversely, a sustained downturn or tighter funding conditions could accelerate the retreat from BTC across more corporate treasuries.

Looking ahead, readers should watch how Genius Group communicates its Bitcoin strategy going forward and whether any new capital-raising or debt-structuring moves arise as it pivots toward a more conventional balance sheet posture. At the same time, the market will be watching Mara and others to gauge whether their liquidations were one-time debt-management steps or the start of a broader asset-reallocation cycle.

In the near term, analysts will likely assess how much of this activity reflects structural changes in corporate risk tolerance versus opportunistic balance-sheet management in response to market cycles. If market conditions improve or if macro liquidity returns, the door could reopen for new Bitcoin treasury accretions, potentially complemented by refined, risk-aware treasury strategies from other technology-focused firms.

For now, the narrative is clear: a notable tilt away from Bitcoin holdings by several high-profile corporate treasuries, counterpointed by continued, disciplined accumulation by leading long-term holders. The next few quarters will reveal whether this is a temporary season of balance-sheet retooling or a more enduring shift in how corporations view Bitcoin within their financial mix.

What to watch next: how Genius Group and its peers re-enter or defer Bitcoin treasury activity, the trajectory of their debt management needs, and the evolving appetite among investors for corporate BTC exposure as a strategic reserve.

Alabama has become the second state in the United States to grant legal status to decentralized autonomous organizations under the Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association Act.

The DUNA Act, introduced in February by Republican Senator Lance Bell, provides legal recognition and limited liability protections to DAOs after passing 82-7 with 16 abstentions on March 17.

According to data from CoinLaw, there are over 13,000 DAOs across the globe, with roughly $24.5 billion worth of assets under their control. The key goal behind this framework is to offer clarity on how DAOs exist and operate within the legal system.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has now signed the bill into law, according to a16z Crypto’s head of policy and general counsel, Miles Jennings.

In a recent X post, Jennings said, “Decentralized governance is essential to crypto’s future—it’s one of the core constructs in market structure legislation.”

The bill will give decentralized communities “the certainty to build, govern, contract, and scale in the real world,” Jennings explained.

However, there are certain requirements that organizations must meet to qualify as a DAO. First, a DAO must have at least 100 members for a common nonprofit purpose, such as governing a blockchain network or smart contract system.

These entities can operate through blockchain technology and smart contracts, and voting, proposals, and consensus mechanisms can all be stored on-chain. Such entities will have full legal entity status, which means they can own property, enter into contracts, and sue or be sued.

This will offer individual members protection from personal liability in cases of disputes arising from DAO operations.

“As federal crypto market structure legislation moves closer to becoming law, builders need effective domestic legal structures,” Jennings said.

Back in 2024, Wyoming became the first state to grant legal status to DAOs under the DUNA Act.

Earlier this month, a similar DUNA bill was introduced in West Virginia by Representative Tristan Leavitt in February and is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

Key Takeaways

• An isolated testnet environment at Galaxy Digital was compromised by unauthorized access
• No client assets, personal information, or account data were exposed or endangered
• The financial impact was minimal, with losses under $10,000 in test-only funds
• Galaxy’s response team identified and contained the breach swiftly
• Trading operations and all client-facing services continued without disruption

Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Digital has publicly acknowledged a recent cybersecurity incident that compromised one of its development environments. The breach targeted an isolated research and development workspace designed exclusively for testing purposes.

The firm immediately clarified that customer assets and sensitive data remained completely protected throughout the incident. Every trading platform and client service continued operating normally without any interruption.

The compromised system was a testnet infrastructure — a segregated digital environment where engineers experiment with new code and functionality away from live networks. This testing space operated entirely separate from Galaxy’s production systems and core technology infrastructure.

A source familiar with the situation revealed that the monetary damage amounted to less than $10,000. Galaxy characterized this sum as negligible, emphasizing that these funds existed solely for internal development and testing activities.

Galaxy reported that its security team identified the unauthorized entry point and acted rapidly to isolate the breach. The organization locked down the affected workspace and implemented enhanced security protocols throughout its blockchain-based infrastructure.

Understanding Testnet Environments

A testnet functions as a standalone, quarantined space where software developers validate updates and experiment with new capabilities. It replicates the framework of production systems while operating completely independently from actual user assets and information.

Despite being separated from live operations, testnets can still appeal to cybercriminals seeking to identify security vulnerabilities. While compromising such environments doesn’t directly endanger users, it may expose potential weaknesses in system architecture.

Galaxy maintains a diverse range of services including digital asset trading, investment management, lending platforms, custody solutions, cryptocurrency mining operations, staking services, and data infrastructure. The company primarily serves institutional investors while functioning as a connector between conventional financial markets and the digital asset ecosystem.

Ongoing Security Challenges in Cryptocurrency

Cybersecurity incidents and exploits remain an endemic challenge throughout the cryptocurrency space. The combination of publicly available code, substantial on-chain capital, and inconsistent security standards creates attractive opportunities for malicious actors.

According to industry analysts, annual losses from cryptocurrency-related hacks have consistently ranged between $1 billion and $2 billion in recent years. These incidents span everything from centralized exchange compromises to decentralized protocol exploits and sophisticated phishing campaigns.

Galaxy indicated that investigation into the incident continues. The company committed to sharing additional information when appropriate.

The firm has not disclosed specific details regarding the method of unauthorized entry or the particular vulnerability that was exploited during the attack.

Beyond the immediate containment measures and workspace security enhancements, Galaxy Digital has not announced any structural changes to its security personnel or broader infrastructure.

As of its official statement, Galaxy Digital confirmed that all client-facing platforms and services maintain complete security and operational integrity.

Former FTX head of engineering Nishad Singh has agreed to pay a $3.7 million fine to resolve his case with the US commodities regulator.

Singh will pay a disgorgement of $3.7 million as part of a supplemental consent order for his role in the collapse of FTX and the misappropriation of user funds, according to an April 1 statement from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

As part of the supplemental consent order, he has also been handed a five-year ban on trading in markets and an eight-year registration ban that blocks him from obtaining a license to operate within the sector.

CFTC enforcement director David Miller ruled out additional restitution or civil monetary penalties for now and said the current resolution reflects Singh’s cooperation with authorities.

“The defendant engaged in, and aided, significant violations of the Act and CFTC regulations as the former FTX head of engineering, and the consent orders reflect the severity of these violations,” Miller said.

A Bloomberg report noted that attorneys representing Singh said he was grateful the matter had been resolved and added that the regulator recognized his limited role in the underlying conduct.

Singh was accused of personally misappropriating millions of dollars in assets as part of FTX’s collapse. The commission charged the former executive with two counts of fraud by misappropriation and aiding and abetting fraud.

Subsequently, he entered into the consent order and agreed to cooperate with the commission’s investigators.

As previously reported by crypto.news, Singh was also spared from prison and received three years of supervised release.

In the meantime, FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has filed a pro se motion seeking a new trial in his federal fraud case.

Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year sentence on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy but has argued that key witness testimony was missing from his 2023 trial.

The US state of Alabama has become the second US jurisdiction after Wyoming to grant decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) legal status under the DUNA Act.

The Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA) Act (Senate Bill 277) was introduced in February by Republican Senator Lance Bell. The House passed it 82-7 with 16 abstentions on March 17, and has now been signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, according to a16z Crypto.

Speaking about the bill’s passage, a16z Crypto’s head of policy and general counsel, Miles Jennings, said on Wednesday that “decentralized governance is essential to crypto’s future — it’s one of the core constructs in market structure legislation.”

The bill provides legal status and limited liability protections to DAOs, solving a long-unresolved question in crypto: How DAOs exist from a legal standpoint in the real world. 

It gives decentralized communities “the certainty to build, govern, contract, and scale in the real world,” added Jennings. 

Full legal entity status for DAOs

To qualify, a DAO must have at least 100 members joined for a common nonprofit purpose, such as governing a blockchain network or smart contract system.

Governance can operate entirely through blockchain technology and smart contracts, and voting, proposals and consensus mechanisms can all be stored onchain.

These organizations will have full legal entity status, they can own property, sue and be sued, and enter into contracts, while individual members and administrators will be shielded from personal liability. 

Related: Aave DAO backs V4 mainnet plan in near-unanimous vote

“As federal crypto market structure legislation moves closer to becoming law, builders need effective domestic legal structures,” added Jennings. 

West Virginia DUNA Act awaits approval 

A similar DUNA bill (HB 5060), introduced by Representative Tristan Leavitt in February, passed the House on March 4 and is awaiting the governor’s signature in West Virginia. 

Wyoming’s DUNA Act was signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon in March 2024. The state approved the first legally recognized DAO in the United States in July 2021. 

Over 13,000 DAOs exist worldwide with collective treasury assets under DAO control surpassing $24.5 billion as of 2025, according to CoinLaw. The average DAO treasury size is around $1.2 million, and Ethereum and its layer-2 networks host over 85% of DAOs, reported PatentPC in March.

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