Tesla’s long-running flirtation with Bitcoin took a mark-to-market hit in the Q4, even as the EV maker delivered stronger-than-expected earnings and doubled downTesla’s long-running flirtation with Bitcoin took a mark-to-market hit in the Q4, even as the EV maker delivered stronger-than-expected earnings and doubled down

Tesla’s Bitcoin bet hits a speed bump—but the EV giant isn’t selling

2 min read

Tesla’s long-running flirtation with Bitcoin took a mark-to-market hit in the fourth quarter, even as the electric-vehicle maker delivered stronger-than-expected earnings and doubled down on Elon Musk’s broader tech ambitions.

Summary
  • Tesla held steady on its Bitcoin position through the end of 2025, but booked a sizable unrealized loss as crypto prices slid late in the year.
  • The EV maker reported $1.008 billion in digital assets as of Dec. 31—down 23% from the prior quarter—resulting in a $307 million paper loss after two consecutive quarters of unrealized gains.
  • The decline mirrors Bitcoin’s own Q4 swoon; it fell roughly 23.7% over the period.

Tesla Inc. disclosed Wednesday that it held steady on its Bitcoin position through the end of 2025, but booked a sizable unrealized loss as crypto prices slid late in the year. The company reported $1.008 billion in digital assets as of Dec. 31—down 23% from the prior quarter—resulting in a $307 million paper loss after two consecutive quarters of unrealized gains.

The decline mirrors Bitcoin’s own fourth-quarter swoon. The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell roughly 23.7% over the period, a move that closely tracked the drop in the reported value of Tesla’s digital assets. While Tesla does not break out its crypto holdings, on-chain analytics firm Arkham Intelligence says the company’s stash consists entirely of Bitcoin—11,509 BTC that remained unchanged quarter over quarter.

Tesla’s relationship with Bitcoin dates back to January 2021, when it made waves by purchasing $1.5 billion worth of the cryptocurrency. The automaker briefly accepted Bitcoin as payment for vehicles before suspending the option, citing environmental concerns tied to energy-intensive mining.

Despite the crypto paper loss, Tesla’s core business showed resilience. The company posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue, reassuring investors after a volatile year for both equities and digital assets. Tesla also revealed a $2 billion investment to acquire shares in Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, underscoring its expanding bets beyond cars and energy.

Bitcoin was trading around $88,511 late Wednesday, while Tesla shares rose nearly 2% in after-hours trading, signaling Wall Street’s focus remains firmly on fundamentals—even as crypto volatility lingers in the background.

Disclaimer: The articles reposted on this site are sourced from public platforms and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the views of MEXC. All rights remain with the original authors. If you believe any content infringes on third-party rights, please contact [email protected] for removal. MEXC makes no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content and is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided. The content does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice, nor should it be considered a recommendation or endorsement by MEXC.

You May Also Like

Which Altcoins Stand to Gain from the SEC’s New ETF Listing Standards?

Which Altcoins Stand to Gain from the SEC’s New ETF Listing Standards?

On Wednesday, the US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) took a landmark step in crypto regulation, approving generic listing standards for spot crypto ETFs (exchange-traded funds). This new framework eliminates the case-by-case 19b-4 approval process, streamlining the path for multiple digital asset ETFs to enter the market in the coming weeks. Grayscale’s Multi-Crypto Milestone Grayscale secured a first-mover advantage as its Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) received approval under the new listing standards. Products that will be traded under the ticker GDLC include Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. “Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund $GDLC was just approved for trading along with the Generic Listing Standards. The Grayscale team is working expeditiously to bring the FIRST multi-crypto asset ETP to market with Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano,” wrote Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg. The approval marks the US’s first diversified, multi-crypto ETP, signaling a shift toward broader portfolio products rather than single-asset ETFs. Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas explained that around 12–15 cryptocurrencies now qualify for spot ETF consideration. However, this is contingent on the altcoins having established futures trading on Coinbase Derivatives for at least six months. This includes well-known altcoins like Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), and Chainlink (LINK), alongside the majors already included in Grayscale’s GDLC. Altcoins in the Spotlight Amid New Era of ETF Eligibility Several assets have already met the key condition, regulated futures trading on Coinbase. For example, Solana futures launched in February 2024, making the token eligible as of August 19. “The SEC approved generic ETF listing standards. Assets with a regulated futures contract trading for 6 months qualify for a spot ETF. Solana met this criterion on Aug 19, 6 months after SOL futures launched on Coinbase Derivatives,” SolanaFloor indicated. Crypto investors and communities also identified which tokens stand to gain. Chainlink community liaison Zach Rynes highlighted that LINK could soon see its own ETF. He noted that both Bitwise and Grayscale have already filed applications. Meanwhile, the Litecoin Foundation indicated that the new standards provide the regulatory framework for LTC to be listed on US exchanges. Hedera is also in the spotlight, with digital asset investor Mark anticipating an HBAR ETF. Market observers see the decision as a potential turning point for broader adoption, bringing the much-needed clarity and accessibility for investors. At the same time, it boosts confidence in the market’s maturity. The general sentiment is that with the SEC’s approval, the next phase of crypto ETFs is no longer a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’ The shift to generic listing standards could expand the US-listed digital asset ETFs roster beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. Such a move would usher in new investment vehicles covering a dozen or more altcoins. This represents the clearest path yet toward mainstream, regulated access to diversified crypto exposure. More importantly, it comes without the friction of direct custody. “We’re gonna be off to the races in a matter of weeks,” ETF analyst James Seyffart quipped.
Share
Coinstats2025/09/18 12:57
‘High Risk’ Projects Dominate Crypto Press Releases, Report Finds

‘High Risk’ Projects Dominate Crypto Press Releases, Report Finds

The post ‘High Risk’ Projects Dominate Crypto Press Releases, Report Finds appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. More than six in 10 crypto press releases published
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/02/04 13:09
Why Vitalik Says L2s Aren’t Ethereum Shards Now?

Why Vitalik Says L2s Aren’t Ethereum Shards Now?

The post Why Vitalik Says L2s Aren’t Ethereum Shards Now? appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. Vitalik says Ethereum’s scaling and higher gas limits mean L2s no
Share
BitcoinEthereumNews2026/02/04 13:18