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IATSE Local 728 Becomes First Private-Sector Union To Invest In Bitcoin

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IATSE Local 728, a 3,000-member chapter of The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada, has made history by purchasing its first Bitcoin investment, according to a press release sent to Bitcoin Magazine. This initiative, approved by an overwhelming majority of its membership, was executed with the assistance of Proof of Workforce, a nonprofit dedicated to helping unions adopt Bitcoin through education-based initiatives.

IATSE Local 728 said it has long championed service, strength, and solidarity, and its decision to invest in Bitcoin aligns with its mission to fight for financial security for its members. “Today, we make history as the first private-sector labor union in the country to put Bitcoin on our balance sheet and hold it in self-custody,” the union stated. The effort was led by IATSE Local 728 Treasurer Pascal Guillemard, former Executive Board Member Jason Lord, and current Board Member David Graves, in collaboration with Proof of Workforce founder Dom Bei.

“IATSE Local 728 has led the entertainment industry in safety, technology, and training since 1939. Our members have been the proof of work behind the greatest productions in history—now, we’re bringing that same innovation to finance,” stated the IATSE Local 728 Bitcoin Advisory Board. “As the first private-sector labor union in the country to put Bitcoin on its balance sheet and hold it in self-custody, we are taking a stand for financial security and labor empowerment.”

“This is about protecting the value of our members’ labor. Bitcoin isn’t just an asset, it’s the most secure, decentralized financial network in the world, immune to manipulation and inflation. While governments print money and financial institutions strip workers of their wages, we are taking control. This isn’t a gamble. It’s a strategy. We are learning, building, and leading,” the union continued.

Beyond its own membership, IATSE Local 728 sees this move as a catalyst for a broader transformation within the labor movement. “For too long, unions have played defense in a system rigged against workers. That ends now. With Bitcoin, we aren’t just negotiating contracts, we are securing economic freedom. We are setting the standard. We are taking action. We are proving that unions don’t just fight for today, they build for the future.”

In addition to holding bitcoin on the balance sheet, a standing committee will be established to explore ways Bitcoin can provide long-term security for IATSE 728 members and their families. The committee will also help integrate the union’s support into the Bitcoin network.

Proof of Workforce praised IATSE 728’s leadership in adopting Bitcoin as a reserve asset, stating, “At Proof of Workforce, we understand that within every organization, exists someone who has discovered the true potential of Bitcoin. Our mission is to provide that person with the tools to introduce education-based and responsible adoption to their organization. IATSE Local 728 is a representation of the Proof of Work behind some of the best entertainment in the world. Their members work incredibly hard in motion picture and television lighting, ensuring the highest standards in the industry. They now have begun to explore an innovative network, aligned with the values and proof of work exhibited by its members. It’s now Lights, Camera, Bitcoin!”

As the first private-sector union to integrate Bitcoin into its financial strategy, IATSE Local 728 is setting a precedent that could inspire other private-sector unions across the country to follow suit.

Yesterday, Dom Bei announced he’s running for a a seat on the board of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). Bei launched his campaign with massive endorsements, including California legislators and the city of Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.





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Bitcoin 2025 Conference Brings Back Highly Anticipated Legal Education Program

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BTC Inc., a leading provider of Bitcoin-related news and events, has announced the return of its Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program at The Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Scheduled for May 27th at the Venetian Expo Hall, this premier program provides legal and financial professionals with the opportunity to stay informed about the ever-evolving regulatory landscape surrounding Bitcoin.

Following a highly successful debut at Bitcoin 2024, where attorneys, startup founders, corporate legal teams, and policymakers praised the program for tackling crucial legal topics, the 2025 CLE session will continue to deliver valuable insights into the legal and regulatory frameworks shaping Bitcoin’s future.

The 2025 CLE program will offer four (4) hours of credit, pending approval from the Nevada Board of Continuing Legal Education. Participants will also receive certificates of completion for submission to states not pre-accredited for CLE or CPE credits.

Designed for industry professionals, in-house counsel, CFOs, CPAs/MTAs, startup founders, and C-suite executives, the program will address key legal, regulatory, and business considerations in the Bitcoin industry. Expert-led sessions will include:

  • Trump Administration’s Bitcoin Policies – A deep dive into the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, stablecoin regulations, and shifts in market structure.
  • Bitcoin in Public Company Treasuries – Examining the legal frameworks for power agreements and transactions in regulated and deregulated markets.
  • Bitcoin & the Courts: Operation Choke Point and Beyond – Analyzing legal battles shaping financial access, banking restrictions, and regulatory overreach.
  • Mining Contracts & Legal Risks – Exploring complexities in hosting agreements, procurement risks, and emerging regulatory considerations.

Participants can register through either the CLE & Industry Pass bundle or the CLE & VIP Whale Pass bundle. Attendees will be among 300+ sponsors and 5,000+ companies, many of whom are in the early stages of their legal and consulting needs. The 2025 CLE program registration and further details can be found here.

The Bitcoin Conference is also renowned for hosting top-tier international Bitcoin events like Bitcoin Asia, Bitcoin Amsterdam, and Bitcoin MENA, and continues to be the premier destination for thought leadership and innovation in the Bitcoin space.

Disclaimer: Bitcoin Magazine is wholly owned by BTC Media, LLC, which also owns and operates the world’s largest Bitcoin conference, The Bitcoin Conference.



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Analysts Explain Why Bitcoin Could Soon Recover or Crash Harder

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Bitcoin just dropped 24% from its all-time high — what happens next? Analysts say BTC is “very close to its local bottom,” but could a Black Swan event send it crashing even lower?

Macro turmoil shakes Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price has been on a bumpy stretch. After hitting an all-time high of $109,114 in January when President Donald Trump took office and established a more pro-crypto administration, the market has taken a sharp turn.

As of Mar. 13, Bitcoin is sitting around $82,600, down 24% from its January peak, after plunging to a four-month low of $76,600 on Mar. 11.

“What we’re seeing now is looking just like March 2017”. Analysts explain why Bitcoin could soon recover — or crash harder - 1
Bitcoin price chart | Source: crypto.news

The market is facing headwinds from multiple directions. Wall Street is leaning into risk aversion, U.S. recession fears are growing, and Trump’s new tariff policies have added uncertainty to the mix.

Many investors were also disappointed by the lack of fresh BTC purchases under the Trump administration’s strategic reserve plan, which some had hoped would provide a steady buying force for Bitcoin.

On the macroeconomic side, inflation data released on Mar. 12 offered a brief moment of optimism. The consumer price index rose by just 0.2% in February, slowing to an annual inflation rate of 2.8% — down from 0.5% in January. The core CPI, which strips out food and energy prices, also landed at 3.1%, its lowest level since April 2021.

The market initially reacted positively to the softer CPI data. Bitcoin pushed above $84,000, and altcoins saw double-digit gains. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 also recorded slight upticks.

But the optimism didn’t last. As the day progressed, BTC and equities erased most of their gains, weighed down by Trump’s tariff war escalating against major trading partners.

In a dramatic move, Trump slapped a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports from Canada, prompting Canada to retaliate with 25% tariffs on $21 billion worth of U.S. goods.

Just hours later, the EU fired back with its own $28 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, further intensifying trade tensions.

These actions have put investors on edge, shifting market sentiment toward a risk-off approach, where cash and safer assets like gold and bonds become more attractive than volatile plays like Bitcoin.

With all these forces at play, Bitcoin finds itself at a crossroads. Will it stabilize and gear up for another run, or are further corrections on the horizon? Let’s dig deeper.

Institutional money retreats

Since Feb. 13, spot Bitcoin ETFs have been under pressure, with money flowing out at an aggressive pace. While there were a few days of net positive inflows, they were small in volume compared to the heavy outflows on most days.

The worst hit came on Feb. 25, when ETFs saw their largest single-day outflow ever — over $1 billion, marking a clear risk-off sentiment among institutional investors.

Despite the outflows, as of Mar. 12, BlackRock’s IBIT remains the dominant ETF in the market, holding nearly 568,000 BTC. Fidelity’s FBTC and Grayscale’s GBTC follow, managing 197,500 BTC and 196,000 BTC, respectively.

Adding a political layer to the Bitcoin narrative, at least six members of President Trump’s cabinet hold Bitcoin, either directly or indirectly through ETFs.

Among them, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has the largest disclosed stake, with a Bitcoin Fidelity crypto account valued between $1 million and $5 million.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holds between $250,001 and $500,000 worth of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF. While Bessent has pledged to divest his holdings within 90 days, his position highlights the growing connection between Bitcoin and top-level U.S. policymakers.

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s open interest, a crucial metric showing the total value of outstanding BTC derivative contracts, has been in a downward spiral.

After peaking at $70 billion on Jan. 22, following Bitcoin’s new all-time high, open interest has been on a steady decline. As BTC tumbled, OI followed, dropping to a low of $45.7 billion on Mar. 11, the same day BTC hit its four-month low.

“What we’re seeing now is looking just like March 2017”. Analysts explain why Bitcoin could soon recover — or crash harder - 2
BTC open interest as of Mar. 13 | Source: CoinGlass

However, in the last two days, open interest has started climbing back, adding over $1 billion as of Mar. 13, in sync with BTC’s price recovery.

The heavy ETF outflows and dropping open interest paint a picture of institutional hesitation and reduced speculative activity over the past few weeks.

Bitcoin’s rally in January was fueled by strong ETF inflows and high-leveraged positions, but as soon as macro uncertainty and Trump’s trade war escalated, the market turned defensive.

The latest open interest rebound is a potential signal that traders are cautiously re-entering long positions, but the recovery is slow. A sustained increase in both OI and ETF inflows will be critical for Bitcoin to regain momentum.

History hints at a rebound

Bitcoin’s recent pullback from its all-time high has been sharp, but historical trends and technical indicators suggest that this could either be a temporary bottom or the beginning of a deeper correction.

Technical analyst CryptoCon points out that Bitcoin has now reached historically low RSI Bollinger Band % levels, a point where BTC rarely stays for long.

To break this down — Relative Strength Index measures momentum, while Bollinger Bands show volatility. When the RSI Bollinger % reaches extreme lows, it suggests that Bitcoin is at an oversold level, meaning the downside pressure is likely exhausting itself.

In previous cycles, when BTC hit similar RSI Bollinger % lows, it marked a strong local bottom before the next leg up.

According to CryptoCon, Bitcoin has just completed Phase 4, a part of the market cycle where price breaks past the previous all-time high—something we saw in January 2013, December 2016, and November 2020.

In all three of these cycles, BTC had a correction after the breakout before rallying to a new high within the next 9 to 12 months.

He believes that this market cycle is behaving exactly like March 2017, when BTC faced a deep correction but then recovered to rally further. If that’s the case, this means we are still months away from a cycle top.

However, this optimistic outlook is far from universally accepted. Doctor Profit, another respected analyst, lays out two possible scenarios for BTC’s next move.

https://twitter.com/DrProfitCrypto/status/1900007014165856644

In a normal market environment, BTC’s local bottom should form between $68,000 and $74,000, as confirmed by the Market Value to Realized Value indicator.

The MVRV indicator measures whether Bitcoin is overvalued or undervalued by comparing the current market price to the average purchase price of all BTC in circulation.

Right now, the MVRV suggests that BTC is approaching a strong bottom zone, meaning downside risk is limited unless something drastic happens.

That’s where the Black Swan risk comes in. While Doctor Profit initially believed a Black Swan event was highly unlikely, recent economic shifts — such as Trump’s aggressive tariff moves, global trade war concerns, and broader recession fears — make him less certain.

A severe global economic downturn, a financial crisis, or a major crypto industry collapse could push Bitcoin much lower, possibly toward $50,000. While he still leans toward the first scenario, he no longer rules out a full-blown market wipeout.

The signs are mixed. Bitcoin’s historical cycles suggest this is a healthy pullback before another rally, but global conditions have rarely been this unstable.

For now, investors should stay cautious, watch key support levels, and be prepared for heightened volatility.

While historical data favors a recovery, markets don’t move in a vacuum, and external shocks can override even the strongest technical indicators. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.





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Solv Raises $10M for Bitcoin Reserve Offering to Drive Institutional BTC Finance Adoption

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Bitcoin (BTC) staking platform Solv has raised $10 million for its Bitcoin Reserve Offering (BRO) as it aims to build a $100 million BTC reserve.

BRO merges aspects of traditional convertible bonds with crypto-native features to drive institutional adoption of BTC finance, according to an emailed announcement shared with CoinDesk on Thursday.

Solv is attempting to offer an “on-chain MicroStrategy” model, referencing the Michael Saylor-founded software company that now owns nearly 500,000 BTC.

BRO may appeal to institutions who wish to invest in BTC as a store of value in a similar way to Strategy (as MicroStrategy is now called) but without physically purchasing and holding it themselves. Furthermore, they may be seeking a more active yield-generating form of BTC investment.

Solv will deploy the BTC raised to various yield-generating vehicles, such as liquid staking tokens, and invested across decentralized finance (DeFi), real-world assets (RWAs) and institutional finance products.

“What this means is that Solv’s protocol-owned Bitcoin Reserve will be active and productive, rather than having the BTC sitting idle,” Solv said in Thursday’s announcement.





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