Spain’s ITER to Liquidate 97 Bitcoin via Regulated Sale
Spain’s Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER) in Tenerife plans to liquidate 97 Bitcoin purchased in 2012 for about €10,000. With Bitcoin trading above $100,000, the holdings are valued at over $10 million. After previous sale attempts stalled over compliance and regulatory hurdles, ITER has engaged a Bank of Spain- and CNMV-regulated firm to conduct a transparent institutional sale. The transaction will follow detailed compliance procedures and official channels rather than retail exchanges. Proceeds will fund ITER’s future research in quantum technology, renewable energy and genomics. This move highlights growing institutional interest in cryptocurrency and underscores the importance of regulatory clarity for large-scale Bitcoin transactions.
Neutral
The planned sale of 97 Bitcoin by ITER represents a modest liquidation relative to overall market liquidity, especially as it will be executed through regulated institutional channels. In the short term, OTC transactions with a Bank of Spain- and CNMV-regulated firm should limit direct price impact and volatility. Over the longer term, the move underscores growing institutional interest and regulatory clarity in the cryptocurrency sector, which may bolster market confidence and support stable growth. Therefore, while there is some selling pressure from profit-taking, the overall effect on Bitcoin’s price is likely to be neutral.