#TrumpMediaBitcoinTreasury

Trump Media and Technology Group on Tuesday said it's struck a deal to raise $2.5 billion that will be tapped to buy bitcoin, creating a reserve of the cryptocurrency.

The company's move into cryptocurrency comes after Trump Media has ventured into other investment arenas, including starting exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, and separately managed accounts with investment strategies the company says are "rooted in American values and priorities."

In its Tuesday announcement, Trump Media said it has an agreement with about 50 institutional investors to buy $1.5 billion of the company's stock, along with another $1 billion in debt that can be converted into stock at a later date. The $2.5 billion in funds will be used to create a "bitcoin treasury," which the company said will be added to its balance sheet.

This would be in addition to cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that Trump Media already holds, which it said were worth $759 million.

President Trump, the largest investor in Trump Media, has increasingly focused on cryptocurrencies, both through his private business and his administration. He has directed his officials to create a national "crypto strategic reserve" that will include bitcoin, ethereum and lesser-known cryptocurrencies. The goal for Trump Media — best known for its Truth Social app — is to push the company into becoming more than a tech business, according to CEO Devin Nunes.