Metaplanet CEO has spearheaded a significant multi-party acquisition of the Korean publicly traded firm SGA, marking a strategic advancement in the integration of Bitcoin finance across Asia. This acquisition underscores
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 13:04
Summary Sequans is a focused IoT chipmaker with sticky products, strong customer relationships, and a $480M pipeline, positioning it well in a fast-growing market. Revenue and margins are trending positively, with product sales up 42% YoY and recurring licensing income providing stability despite ongoing cash burn. The company's bold Bitcoin treasury strategy adds long-term optionality, but does not distract from its core IoT business or financial health. Valuation is fair for a high-leverage IoT play; I'm leaning buy as module ramp, licensing growth, and cost control could drive future upside. Introduction I like companies that know exactly what they do and stay in their lane, and Sequans Communications S.A. ( SQNS ) is one of them. It’s a fabless semiconductor company that builds 4G and 5G chips and modules for IoT devices. These aren’t chips for phones or laptops. They’re built for devices that need reliable, low-power, always-on connectivity: things like smart meters, industrial sensors, and asset trackers. The business has two main parts. The first is the hardware side (cellular IoT chipsets and fully integrated modules), with products like the Monarch 2 and Calliope 2. The second is a growing platform business that includes licensing, embedded software, and support services. Most customers come to Sequans for more than the silicon, though, because it offers the full package: security, carrier certification, software stacks, and long-term support. That means that the company has sticky products, which is crucial, especially in regulated and utility-focused markets. Also, Sequans is doing a great job focusing on the main growth drivers. Think winning long-cycle deals in smart grid deployments, public infrastructure, and connected industrial systems. It’s already working with names like Microchip, Renesas, and NTT Docomo, and according to what I found in the company’s latest investor presentation , it has a three-year pipeline worth around $480 million. More than half of that is already locked in through design wins. In my view, the most important thing to consider is the big picture. The cellular IoT market is growing fast, and Sequans is still relatively early in its monetization arc. Still, we have signs that the company has carved out a clear position in that space. It’s steadily expanding its share, particularly in those verticals that care about performance, longevity, and compliance. That’s what gives the company leverage over time. One more thing: the company has also added Bitcoin to its balance sheet as a long-term treasury asset. I don’t think that changes the core business story, but it reflects how management is thinking about long-term value and asymmetric upside. Financial Momentum & Product Ramp I like seeing a consistent story, and Sequans has shown that over the last few quarters. Author: SQNS Revenue Trends If we look at the data above, we can see that over the past five quarters, revenue has moved in the right direction, even if it’s not been a straight line. It went from $6.1 million in Q1 2024 to $11 million in Q4, before pulling back to $8.1 million in Q1 2025. That drop looks like seasonality to me, not weakness. On the product side, it looks like demand is picking up. Product revenue grew 42% year over year in Q1, hitting $3.5 million, and now makes up about 44% of the total. That’s important because this is the higher-volume, higher-visibility part of the business. Simply put, the more Monarch 2 and Calliope 2 units in the field, the more leverage Sequans gets from scale. License and service revenue came in at $4.5 million. That is up 25% from a year ago. To be clear, it isn’t flashy growth, but it’s consistent, and it gives the company something a lot of small chipmakers don’t have: recurring revenue and real software margins. Now, speaking of margins, gross margin has stayed strong, too. It’s not gone below 64% over the last 5 quarters, and the company even recorded a peak of 84% back in June 2024 (Q2 24). Q1 2025 landed at 64.5%, which is more than respectable for a company that is still scaling its product shipments. If we look at costs, the picture is also encouraging. Operating spend dropped to $11 million in Q1 25 , and management says they’re aiming to get that below $10 million per quarter soon. That will help to offset the cash burn we’re seeing, which came in at about $6 to $7 million this past quarter. Cash is at $45.9 million. In my opinion, that should be just about adequate, for now, but it also puts some pressure on the company’s execution. All the same, the plan is to increase product volume and licensing revenue, so if those happen, we will see the cash burn start to reduce, and that should stretch out Sequans’ runway a bit longer. All things considered, then, the trend lines look good. Sales are growing year over year, margins are holding up, and costs are coming down. That’s the kind of setup I like to see when I’m leaning Buy. Capital Strategy: The Bitcoin Move Is An Interesting One I think this Bitcoin treasury move is fascinating on several levels. It doesn’t change anything about Sequans’s core business, but it says a lot about how the company thinks. The company raised close to $384 million in a private placement earlier this year , with about half of that coming from equity and the rest from convertible debentures. The money wasn’t raised for R&D, manufacturing, or M&A. It was raised to buy Bitcoin and hold it as a Treasury reserve. As of July 10, 2025, the company has already bought 370 BTC, and management says they’re targeting up to 3,000 BTC over time. If they can pull it off, that would put Sequans near the top of the list of corporate Bitcoin holders, just behind names like MicroStrategy. Not to worry, the purchases are handled through Coinbase Prime, so the custody is institutional-grade. But what matters to me isn’t the platform. It’s the message. The Bitcoin move is a Treasury strategy . According to management, they clearly see Bitcoin as a long-term store of value, and they’re using it to strengthen the balance sheet. Now, the capital raise is done, and the company’s operations are still fully funded, so this doesn’t threaten the business. If Bitcoin appreciates, that adds value. If it doesn’t, the core IoT business stays untouched. What I also like is how this decision fits the company’s mindset. Sequans has always been a lean operator, and it definitely pushes that angle publicly. It sells to long-cycle customers, avoids flashy product pivots, and targets markets where performance and reliability matter. In my view, that is the same kind of thinking that is behind this move. It looks like management has decided that they’re planning for a future where having a hard, global reserve asset on the books gives them optionality. Now, I have a few questions about the validity of cryptocurrency as a long-term store of value, but I’m not going to discuss them here. More importantly, I think it’s reasonable to consider questions like whether this Bitcoin reserve will eventually support more flexible financing or allow them to self-fund future projects without dilution. Maybe. Alternatively, could it attract investors who want exposure to both hard assets and growth-stage tech? Possibly. I’m not building the buy case around Bitcoin, but I think it gives Sequans a bit more long-term leverage than the market seems to be pricing in. Growth Catalysts: What Could Fuel the Next Leg Up I highlighted a few of these in the intro and financial sections, but I thought I’d just discuss them here, too. Module Volume Ramp (Monarch 2 & Calliope 2) I believe this is core to the thesis. These latest-generation modules are finally shipping at scale. We’ve seen product revenue jump 42% year over year in Q1. If Monarch 2 and Calliope 2 continue rolling into commercial deployments across smart meters, trackers, and IoT devices, that will form the basis for sustainable growth. Industrial & IoT Vertical Tailwinds Sequans is focused on reliable, long-life devices. The global cellular IoT module market has a 27% CAGR between 2024 and 2034 , and it looks like industrial customers (utilities, smart buildings, and fleet operators) are moving to cellular connectivity. From all indications, then, Sequans is in a fantastic position to gain even more market share with its low-power, ultra-reliable modules designed for multi-year battery life and rugged environments. Platform Pipeline Conversion ($480 Million) Finally, the company has a real revenue pipeline that is tied to multi-year uses and recurring deployments. As of Q1 2025, over half of that $480 million pipeline is in confirmed design wins. That gives me confidence we're not banking on vaporware. If even half of that converts over the next two years, we’re looking at a sizable growth boost. Valuation Check: Reasonable for the Risk Sequans is still a relatively small-cap company, but it's not flying under the radar anymore. As of July 12, the stock trades around $4.50, and that number reflects the sharp rise we’ve seen in recent weeks. A lot of it is probably tied to the Bitcoin news, so let’s look at the multiples. At that price, the company is valued at just under three times trailing revenue. To be fair, it might sound rich, especially for a company that isn't profitable yet, but I think there’s more to the story. Seeking Alpha: SQNS Stock Chart I’m not looking at Sequans through the lens of a typical hardware company. This is a platform business in the making. Yes, it sells chips and modules, but it also earns recurring licensing revenue, provides embedded software, and supports long-cycle deployments. That gives it margin potential and visibility that most low-end chipmakers don’t have. Seeking Alpha The current price-to-sales multiple of ~2.9x puts it a bit closer to the higher end of the IoT module space. Peer companies like u-blox ( UBLXF ) and even Sierra Wireless (before it got acquired) usually trade between 1x and 2x sales, albeit the former is currently at 3.35x. Still, those businesses are heavier on hardware, thinner on software, and less focused on long-life industrial use cases. Sequans is worth the current price, in my view, because it's playing in a more defensible corner of the market. What we don’t have yet are clean earnings or EBITDA figures. The company is still investing in growth, and it’s not breaking even. So there’s no EV/EBITDA metric that really tells the full story right now. What we can work with are the signs: a narrowing operating loss, a clear path to cash efficiency, and a backlog of high-quality contracts that could convert into revenue over the next few quarters. No, the stock isn’t cheap, but for what it is (a small, strategic, high-leverage play on cellular IoT), I think the current price is fair. The valuation reflects the early payoff of a long-term plan. If the module ramp stays on track and licensing revenue continues to grow, this multiple will start to look conservative in hindsight. The Risks These are the things I’m watching most closely: Module adoption could stall if Monarch 2 or Calliope 2 don’t scale as expected, revenue growth slows, and the story weakens. Sequans isn’t profitable yet. Margins are solid, but the company is still burning cash. It needs to keep expenses tight while growing revenue, or the cash runway becomes much shorter. Bitcoin volatility hits the balance sheet. Holding Bitcoin adds optionality, but also adds noise. If the price crashes, it won’t affect operations directly, but it may scare investors and complicate financing. Investor Takeaway I’m leaning towards a Buy on Sequans because I see a focused business doing the hard things well. It’s growing product revenue, building recurring licensing income, and keeping margins healthy. We can also throw in a sticky customer base, growing end markets, and the company has a real shot at reaching cash efficiency over the next few quarters. Again, the Bitcoin strategy doesn’t drive this thesis, but it tells me that management is thinking long-term, bold, and unafraid of optionality. That’s a mindset I like, as long as it doesn’t distract from execution.
Seeking Alpha 2025-07-14 13:01
With the Bitcoin price rising to new all-time highs every other day, more crypto analysts have come forth with their predictions for where the pioneer cryptocurrency could be headed next. One analyst in particular points out an incredibly bullish development on the Bitcoin price chart that suggests that the rally is far from over. As the trend continues to play out, it is possible that the rise above $118,000 is only the start of the uptrend. Bitcoin Enters Full Price Discovery After clearing the resistance at $117,000, the Bitcoin price has now entered what crypto analysts are referring to as price discovery. This term refers to buyers and sellers determining the price of Bitcoin, and there seems to be a consensus that the digital asset is worth more, and this could trigger the next uptrend. Related Reading: Bitcoin Price Break Above $118,000 Just The Start, Analyst Unveils ‘Golden Number’ An analysis from crypto analyst AltcoinGordon focuses on a particular resistance line that has persisted for the Bitcoin price for the last eight years. This resistance line went through the highs from both March and November 2021, and was not broken. Then again, through the nights in May 2025, and remained unbroken. However, the resistance line has finally succumbed to pressure from the bulls and has been broken through after Bitcoin made it through $117,000. This simply means that there is nothing now holding back the digital asset, allowing it to climb freely from here. Due to this, the analyst believes that this breakout is no ordinary breakout, but rather one that triggers the start of parabolas. In this case, a parabolic rally would lead the Bitcoin price above the $130,000 level if the momentum is maintained. BTC Price Discovery Is Good For Altcoins Altcoin Gordon points out that the Bitcoin price discovery is particularly good for altcoins, as they will rally harder. “Price discovery is in full effect now. And when that happens… alts go wild,” the post read. This has already started playing out as altcoins have been outperforming the Bitcoin price recently. Related Reading: Dogecoin Megaphone Pattern Confirms Price Blowup, ‘Don’t Miss This Last Rally’—Analyst According to the Altcoin Season Index by CoinMarketCap, 27 of the top 50 altcoins have outperformed the Bitcoin price over the last 90 days. This brings the index closer to the 50 top altcoins that are required to outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day period to kickstart the altcoin season. When this happens, the altcoin season will be in full bloom. Once the index crosses the 50 mark, then the parabola for alts is expected to fully begin. For example, back in 2021, the Altcoin Season Index reached a score of 98 before marking the top, and this high figure has been consistence throughout the last three bull markets. Therefore, it is natural to expect that this altcoin season will follow the same trend. Featured image from Dall.E, chart from TradingView.com
NewsBTC 2025-07-14 13:00
Sentiments across the cryptocurrency market remain elevated on the bullish side after Bitcoin ( BTC ) reached an all-time high of over $123,000. To this end, prediction markets are suggesting that the maiden cryptocurrency is likely to see more upside in the coming months. Specifically, traders on cryptocurrency betting platform Polymarket see an 84% chance that BTC will reach at least $130,000, the highest-probability outcome, according to the latest data retrieved by Finbold on July 13. The next most likely level is $150,000, with a 53% chance. Beyond that, optimism wanes but remains notable, with a 20% probability that Bitcoin will reach $200,000 and a 10% chance of surpassing $250,000. At the extreme end, the platform assigns a 3% chance that Bitcoin will reach $1 million by 2025. Bitcoin price prediction for end of 2025. Source: Polymarket Meanwhile, some traders are hedging for a potential correction, as lower price targets like $70,000 (13%), $50,000 (8%), and $20,000 (2%) remain on the board, though each has seen a slight decline in likelihood in the aftermath of Bitcoin’s new record high. Why Bitcoin is breaking out It’s worth noting that several factors drove the Bitcoin and broader cryptocurrency market rally. The asset’s valuation received a major boost following continued institutional inflows after Japan’s Metaplanet snapped up 797 BTC worth $93.6 million on July 14, as part of its plan to hold 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply by 2027. 🇯🇵JUST IN: Metaplanet acquires 797 more $BTC , bringing total holdings to 16,352 BTC. One of Asia’s boldest Bitcoin balance sheets just got bigger. 💪 pic.twitter.com/SjIiyhEqvL — CryptosRus (@CryptosR_Us) July 14, 2025 Meanwhile, spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $1.3 billion in net inflows over the week, led by BlackRock’s, which now holds 700,000 BTC, pushing demand to nearly 20 times the amount of Bitcoin mined daily. Finally, macroeconomic trends have added momentum to Bitcoin’s ongoing rally. Investors are turning to the asset amid a weakening U.S. dollar, which has declined by 11% over the past six months, and renewed geopolitical tensions triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and sanctions threats. These factors have seen investors view Bitcoin as a potential safe-haven asset. Bitcoin price analysis At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was valued at $122,165, having rallied 3.6% in the last 24 hours. On the weekly timeline, the asset is up 12%. Bitcoin seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold While bullish sentiment around Bitcoin appears to be prevailing, investors and traders should be mindful of signs of exhaustion in the asset. On this note, the 14-day relative strength index ( RSI ) stands at 74, entering the overbought zone and signaling a possible retracement in valuation or consolidation. Featured image via Shutterstock The post Crypto markets set Bitcoin’s next record high after BTC clinches $123,000 ATH appeared first on Finbold .
Finbold 2025-07-14 12:57
Matrixport’s recent analysis on July 14 highlighted a bullish outlook for Bitcoin, forecasting a potential surge to $117,244 driven by a historically strong seasonal pattern in July. Contrary to expectations
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 12:43
Bearish side of cryptocurrency market took massive hit that can become foundation for bullish surge
U.Today 2025-07-14 12:42
Lloyds Bank and Aberdeen Investments have strategically partnered with the regulated crypto exchange Archax to enable the use of digital assets as collateral for foreign exchange (FX) contracts. This collaboration
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 12:34
Crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) have witnessed a remarkable surge, with $3.7 billion in inflows pushing total assets to an unprecedented $211 billion. This influx underscores growing investor confidence amid Bitcoin’s
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 12:30
On July 14, a high-risk trader incurred significant losses as $334 million in short bets were liquidated within three hours. High-Risk Trader’s Losses Draw Comparisons to James Wynn A high-risk trader known as Falllling had massive short bets worth $334 million liquidated in just three hours. According to the crypto analytics firm Lookonchain, the liquidated
Bitcoin.com 2025-07-14 12:30
qwatio has reinitiated a BTC short position utilizing 40x leverage, despite prior losses totaling approximately $25.8 million. This move underscores the high-risk appetite prevalent among leveraged traders in the cryptocurrency
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 12:21
In July 2017, the world’s largest crypto exchange, Binance, launched its native token, BNB, on the Ethereum blockchain. Today, that coin now lives on the BNB Chain and has recorded massive growth. Within eight years, the value of BNB has moved from less than $1 to over $700, with significant adoption in real use cases. To commemorate the asset’s eighth birthday, we will be going down memory lane and looking at what the future holds for its price. BNB started trading 8 years ago today, price was $0.06. Today $698.00. A bit over 10,000x. Happy 8th birthday! — CZ BNB (@cz_binance) July 14, 2025 From ICO to Icon Binance held the initial coin offering (ICO) for BNB from June 26 to July 3, 2017. The asset’s total supply was 200 million at the time; however, Binance offered only 100 million tokens for public sale. The firm had allocated the remaining 50% to the founding team and angel investors at 40% and 10%, respectively. During the public sale, Binance raised $15 million by selling each token for 15 cents. ICO participants were to either pay one ether (ETH) for 2,700 BNB or one bitcoin (BTC) for 20,000 BNB. Eleven days after the ICO, the Binance exchange opened for trading, alongside BNB. Following the completion of the Binance Chain in April 2019, BNB migrated from Ethereum to become the native token of the new network. Over the years, the Binance Chain has undergone several modifications that have led it to become the BNB Chain known today. In 2021, BNB became the third-largest crypto asset by market capitalization. However, it is currently the fifth-biggest, trailing behind Ripple’s XRP and Tether’s USDT, with a market cap of $98.4 billion. Rising Institutional Adoption Shortly after launching BNB, Binance decided to reduce the token’s supply by 100 million BNB, so it started a buyback and burn program. The aim was to repurchase BNB from the market and destroy the coins by sending them to a black address. In December 2021, Binance introduced a BNB Auto-Burn program, which automatically adjusts the amount of BNB to be destroyed based on price and transaction block metrics. The company just completed its 32nd burn, reducing the asset’s total supply to about 139.28 million BNB. The frequent burning of BNB has made the coin scarce, and as a result, more valuable. The asset was worth roughly $706 at the time of writing, marking at least 10,000x growth. This mechanism could be a contributing factor in pushing the coin to new highs as time progresses. Meanwhile, BNB is seeing increased institutional adoption. Some companies have adopted the asset in their corporate treasuries, with one intending to own at least $1 billion worth of BNB. The post BNB Celebrates 8th Birthday, Marks Over 10,000x Growth appeared first on CryptoPotato .
Crypto Potato 2025-07-14 12:17
Solana has successfully broken out of a key triangle pattern, surging past the $153.50 resistance level and signaling renewed bullish momentum. The cryptocurrency currently trades at $157.85, with technical indicators
CoinOtag 2025-07-14 12:15
BNB Celebrates 8th Birthday, Marks Over 10,000x Growth
