Crypto’s real-world adoption in 2025 and what builders should expect in 2026
2025 was a year of major shifts for crypto and not just in headlines, but in what actually matters for builders: fundamentals, real-world use cases and…
S1E9233m
The first U.S. state to buy Bitcoin: Why is Texas going all in?
S1E88 • Dec 5, 2025 • 14m
Texas just became the first US state to purchase and hold Bitcoin, and it did so during a market downturn, while many institutions and state treasuries were selling or backing away from crypto entirely.
In this episode of Byte-Sized Insight, we break down alongside Lee Bratcher, founder and president of the Texas Blockchain Council, why Texas made a $5 million Bitcoin ETF purchase (with another $5 million earmarked for self-custodied BTC), how a years-long political history set the stage and what this move means for US crypto policy.
Is Texas making a bold strategic play or taking on unnecessary risk? And could this be the spark that reignites the conversation around Bitcoin in public finance?
(00:08) Texas becomes the first U.S. state to purchase and hold Bitcoin
(00:33) Why Texas buying Bitcoin during a downturn matters
(02:28) Texas’s long-term Bitcoin thesis and the significance of the timing
(03:38) Greg Abbott’s early Bitcoin advocacy: 11 years before Texas’s buy
(04:54) Abbott on Texas becoming a global hub for Bitcoin and blockchain
(08:05) Why Texas is treating Bitcoin as a multi-decade strategic asset
(09:34) How Texas’s Bitcoin purchase could influence other U.S. states and policymakers
(11:13) Texas’s energy, finance, and demographic advantages in Bitcoin adoption
(12:55) Closing insight: Texas and Bitcoin as long-term partners beyond market cycles
This episode was hosted and produced by Savannah Fortis, @savannah_fortis.
Follow Cointelegraph on X @Cointelegraph.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.
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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.
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