BTCS Raises $10 Million in Above-Market Convertible Notes, Expands Ethereum Holdings
Blockchain technology company BTCS Inc. has completed a $10 million financing round through the issuance of convertible notes priced at a 198% premium to its recent share price, the company announced Monday. The financing closed at a conversion price of $13 per share, which is significantly higher than BTCS’s closing price of $13.00 on July 18. The company, which operates under the name Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions, said the new capital supports its ongoing strategy to strengthen its Ethereum reserves and blockchain infrastructure initiatives. Ethereum Reserves Grow to $270 Million Following the financing, BTCS reported an increase of 14,240 ETH to its holdings, bringing its total Ethereum reserves to approximately 70,028 ETH. Based on an ETH price of $3,850, the fair market value of its holdings stands near $270 million. The company noted that its ETH reserves generate revenue through staking and block building. In addition, BTCS disclosed that during the week ending July 25, it sold 271,580 shares through its at-the-market (ATM) program in a single block trade at $6.04 per share, raising $1.64 million. As of July 28, BTCS’s total common shares outstanding number 47,852,778. Capital Strategy Balances DeFi and Traditional Finance BTCS’s financing move is part of its broader DeFi/TradFi Accretion Flywheel strategy, which aims to combine decentralized finance and traditional financial instruments to grow its ETH holdings and fund blockchain operations. The company has raised about $207 million year-to-date through a mix of at-the-market equity sales, above-market convertible debt, and DeFi-based borrowing. “Surpassing $270 million in ETH reserves that are generating revenue and yield for our shareholders through NodeOps (staking) and Builder+ (block building) is a tremendous achievement,” said Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS. BTCS operates in blockchain infrastructure services, including staking (NodeOps) and block building (Builder+). The company says its vertically integrated model is designed to optimize ETH exposure while managing shareholder dilution. BTCS’s latest financial moves highlight continued investor interest in blockchain firms that maintain large cryptocurrency reserves while actively leveraging both decentralized and traditional financing channels. The company has positioned itself as a publicly traded entity focused specifically on Ethereum, at a time when ETH prices and staking revenues remain central to the digital asset sector. BTCS did not announce additional planned offerings but indicated that it would continue balancing capital raising with efforts to limit dilution and increase ETH-related revenue.
Freelancers, Expats, and Borderless Workers: The Untapped Crypto Card Demographic Worth Billions
The global workforce is evolving fast. As remote work, freelancing, and cross-border lifestyles become the norm, a new demographic is rising: borderless workers. These are digital nomads, expats, and freelancers who operate across countries, currencies, and platforms. But traditional banking and payment systems haven’t caught up—burdened by geographic restrictions, regulatory red tape, and high fees. This disconnect is fueling the rise of crypto cards: financial tools that empower global workers to earn, hold, and spend money with unprecedented freedom and flexibility. Platforms like UPay are leading this shift, offering low-fee, globally accepted crypto card solutions built for the next generation of earners. The market is massive. Freelancers already comprise 47% of the global workforce, and this percentage is expected to continue growing. Persistent Financial Challenges on Payments Borderless professionals frequently encounter financial barriers that disrupt their income flow and limit their access to global opportunities: Frequent currency exchanges and incompatible payment systems make it difficult for freelancers to accept international work. In fact, 65% of global freelancers have reported financial losses due to currency conversion issues or lack of access to flexible payout options. Opening and maintaining bank accounts in foreign countries can be a major hurdle. Over 58% of freelancers and gig workers say that existing local banking systems do not support their needs, particularly when living abroad or earning in multiple currencies. Traditional banks and payment platforms often charge high fees for international transfers, which can significantly reduce freelancers’ earnings with each payout. International wire transfers can take several business days to process. These delays sometimes exceeding five days can threaten financial stability and make it challenging for freelancers to cover daily expenses. This is where crypto-native platforms like UPay make a difference, offering fast, affordable, and globally compatible alternatives that empower users to receive and spend funds without banking friction. What are crypto payments? A crypto payment refers to a digital transaction where cryptocurrency or stablecoins are used as a medium of exchange to send or receive funds. This type of payment leverages blockchain technology to send money directly from one person to another without needing a bank or middleman. Enabling fast, sometimes instant, secure, and borderless transfers of value directly. Mainstream adoption: Crypto payments have evolved from niche use cases into mainstream financial tools, with many businesses and consumers embracing stablecoins (cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar) to facilitate seamless, low-cost, and transparent cross-border transactions. Universal acceptance: Major card networks like Visa and Mastercard now support crypto payments, enabling users to spend digital assets with millions of merchants worldwide. This mainstream compatibility has led platforms like UPay to integrate crypto with everyday spending, providing users with a seamless experience that mirrors traditional fintech apps—only faster and more borderless. Why crypto payments offer a better solution Crypto payments address all the major pain points freelancers face when working internationally. These transactions can be executed effortlessly via crypto cards, which are payment cards (debit or credit) linked to cryptocurrency wallets, enabling users to pay in local currencies while spending crypto assets. Key Benefits Crypto payments are already increasingly common among freelancers, with over one-third (35%) of freelancers worldwide having received payments in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDC. The appeal of these digital currencies is evident, as a report reveals that 93% of global freelancers prefer to receive at least part of their income in crypto and stablecoins. For this growing segment, platforms like UPay aren’t just a convenience—they’re essential. Crypto for daily transactions To tap into the untapped crypto card market worth billions, freelancers need an enhanced approach to improve their experience and fully embrace cryptocurrency for both payments and daily expenses. Demand for simplicity in crypto payments Cryptocurrency has often been perceived as a complex concept, which can make using it for daily payments seem daunting to the average person. This highlights the need for simplicity in crypto payments to ensure a user experience comparable to that of Web2 payment apps. Data shows that 81% of freelancers prefer using a platform that enables them to be paid out by simply using an email address. Crypto payments for everyday spending While receiving payments in crypto is a significant advancement, the ability to spend it on various expenses without a lengthy transaction process is equally important. From surveys conducted by Zero Hash, 81% of freelancers and gig workers globally want to use crypto for subscription services, such as Netflix, Spotify, VPNs, and business software. Crypto payment platforms to watch in 2025 Crypto payment platforms have evolved significantly in recent years. Today’s top providers offer streamlined onboarding, Web2-style interfaces, and enterprise-grade security—making them ideal for freelancers, remote teams, and global consumers alike. Here are some of the leading players shaping the space in 2025: Find out more in-depth information on these crypto card platforms and others. Conclusion The rapid expansion of the freelance, expat, and remote workforce is transforming how people live and work across borders. Yet traditional payment systems still lag behind—slowing down cross-border earnings, adding unnecessary fees, and limiting access to financial tools for millions of professionals. Crypto cards are emerging as a timely and powerful solution, offering faster settlement, lower costs, and seamless global usability. Platforms like UPay are not just riding this trend—they’re building for it. By offering intuitive, crypto-powered payment tools tailored for the borderless generation, UPay is helping unlock a more open, inclusive, and efficient financial future. The market is massive, the demand is growing, and the next wave of global financial empowerment will be led by those who build with borderless workers in mind. Download UPay: https://bit.ly/3IFXNsJ