Bitcoin OG Adam Back Just Made a Power Move — and Wall Street Is Paying Attention
Cantor Equity Partners I (CEPO) just got a major jolt — and it’s all thanks to Bitcoin pioneer Adam Back.
According to a report from the Financial Times, Back — CEO of Blockstream and one of the earliest influencers in the Bitcoin space — is set to inject 30,000 BTC (worth nearly $3.5 billion) into CEPO. The news sent CEPO shares soaring nearly 25%, climbing from $12 to just under $15 in early U.S. trading.
But this isn’t just a simple sale. Far from cashing out, Back is doubling down on Bitcoin’s future by trading his BTC for equity in CEPO, which will be rebranded as BSTR Holdings. The company is also targeting an additional $800 million raise to buy even more Bitcoin.
💡 Why It Matters:
This isn’t just a big-money deal — it’s a strategic move aimed at pulling Bitcoin deeper into traditional finance. According to CoinDesk Senior Analyst James Van Straten, this is “not a liquidity event” for Back. Instead, it highlights his mission to make Bitcoin a cornerstone of mainstream financial portfolios.
“Rather than realizing gains,” Van Straten noted, “Back is using institutional vehicles to accelerate Bitcoin adoption across Wall Street.”
He added that this isn't Back’s first rodeo. The crypto veteran has personally invested in similar Bitcoin treasury vehicles, reinforcing the idea that his endgame is long-term integration, not short-term profit.
👤 Who’s Behind CEPO?
CEPO is a special-purpose Bitcoin treasury vehicle led by Brandon Lutnick, the son of Trump-era Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and chairman of Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald. With Wall Street pedigree and crypto OG firepower, the newly minted BSTR Holdings could be one of the most ambitious institutional Bitcoin plays to date.
TL;DR:
Adam Back isn’t selling out — he’s buying in. With $3.5 billion in BTC headed into CEPO and a mission to reshape how finance sees crypto, this deal could mark a new era for Bitcoin on Wall Street.