Prenetics Halts Bitcoin Purchases Amid Extreme Fear Market: Corporate Strategy or Signal?

VADODARA, December 30, 2025 — Nasdaq-listed healthcare company Prenetics has announced the discontinuation of its Bitcoin purchasing program, marking a significant shift in corporate crypto strategy amid a market characterized by extreme fear. This latest crypto news comes as Bitcoin trades at $88,568 with a 1.17% 24-hour gain, while the broader market sentiment registers at 23/100 on the Fear & Greed Index. According to the company's statement, Prenetics will maintain its existing 510 BTC holdings valued at approximately $45 million while redirecting focus to its consumer health brand IM8.

Market Context & Background

Prenetics' decision arrives during a period of heightened market uncertainty, with global regulatory frameworks evolving and institutional adoption patterns showing increased volatility. The company had been consistently accumulating Bitcoin since June 2025 as part of a declared treasury strengthening strategy, mirroring moves by MicroStrategy and other public companies. However, the timing raises questions about whether this represents isolated corporate restructuring or a broader trend of institutional caution. Market structure suggests that corporate Bitcoin accumulation has historically correlated with bullish momentum, making this reversal particularly noteworthy during an extreme fear market phase. The announcement follows other significant market developments, including the OECD crypto tax framework implementation that has introduced additional compliance complexity for institutional holders.

What Happened?

According to official statements and reporting from Crypto Briefing, Prenetics Global Limited (NASDAQ: PRE) has formally terminated its systematic Bitcoin acquisition program. The healthcare technology company, which went public through a SPAC merger in 2022, had been purchasing Bitcoin through a structured treasury program initiated in June 2025. The company confirmed it will not liquidate its existing 510 BTC position, currently valued at approximately $45 million based on current market prices. This represents approximately 2.3% of the company's market capitalization. The stated rationale focuses on resource allocation toward the IM8 consumer health platform, though no specific financial metrics were provided to quantify the program's operational costs versus potential returns.

Technical Analysis & Price Action

Bitcoin's current price action shows consolidation around the $88,568 level, with the 24-hour trend indicating modest upward momentum despite extreme fear sentiment. Volume profile analysis reveals decreased institutional accumulation patterns over the past two weeks, potentially foreshadowing this announcement. The 50-day moving average at $86,200 provides immediate support, while resistance clusters around the $92,000 Fibonacci retracement level from the November highs. Market structure suggests that corporate accumulation has been a key driver of the $82,000 to $95,000 trading range established since Q3 2025. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 48 indicates neutral momentum, though on-chain data shows decreasing exchange inflows from institutional wallets. Bullish invalidation occurs below the $82,000 support level where significant liquidity pools exist. Bearish invalidation requires a sustained break above $95,000 with confirmed volume expansion.

By The Numbers

Why It Matters

For institutional investors, this development represents a potential shift in corporate treasury management strategies. While Prenetics maintains its existing position, the cessation of accumulation suggests either internal financial constraints or strategic reassessment of Bitcoin's role in corporate balance sheets. The timing during extreme fear sentiment raises questions about whether this decision reflects broader institutional caution ahead of potential regulatory developments. For retail traders, the reduction in consistent corporate buying pressure could impact medium-term price support levels, particularly if other companies follow similar patterns. The decision also highlights the tension between operational focus and speculative asset allocation in public companies, a dynamic that could influence how other Nasdaq-listed firms approach cryptocurrency holdings. The SEC's evolving stance on crypto accounting standards may be contributing to corporate reassessments.

Community Sentiment

Market analysts express divided perspectives on the implications. Some interpret the move as prudent corporate governance during uncertain market conditions, noting that maintaining existing holdings demonstrates continued belief in Bitcoin's long-term value proposition. Others question the timing, suggesting that halting accumulation during extreme fear sentiment contradicts traditional contrarian investment principles. Several quantitative analysts point to decreasing on-chain accumulation metrics from corporate entities over the past month, potentially indicating broader institutional hesitation. The decision has sparked debate about whether this represents isolated corporate strategy or early signals of changing institutional adoption patterns amid evolving regulatory frameworks.

Price Prediction / Future Outlook

Bullish Case: If Bitcoin maintains above the $86,200 50-day moving average and corporate accumulation resumes from other institutional players, price could test the $95,000 resistance level by Q1 2026. The maintained $45 million position by Prenetics suggests continued institutional confidence, and extreme fear sentiment historically precedes significant rallies. EIP-4844 implementation on Ethereum could create positive spillover effects across the crypto market.

Bearish Case: If additional corporations follow Prenetics' lead and reduce accumulation programs, combined with sustained extreme fear sentiment, Bitcoin could retest the $82,000 support level. A break below this level would invalidate the current bullish structure and potentially trigger a liquidity grab toward $78,000. Regulatory developments, particularly regarding corporate crypto holdings, could introduce additional downward pressure if compliance costs increase significantly.

FAQs

Why did Prenetics stop buying Bitcoin? The company states it's reallocating resources to focus on its consumer health brand IM8, though market analysts question whether regulatory uncertainty or financial considerations played a role.

Will Prenetics sell its existing Bitcoin? The company has explicitly stated it does not intend to sell its current 510 BTC holdings valued at approximately $45 million.

How does this affect Bitcoin's price? Reduction in consistent corporate buying pressure could impact medium-term support levels, though the maintained position suggests continued institutional confidence.

What is the Fear & Greed Index showing? Current reading of 23/100 indicates extreme fear sentiment, which historically has preceded significant market movements in either direction.

Are other companies likely to follow? Market structure suggests corporate accumulation patterns show recent deceleration, though whether this becomes a broader trend depends on regulatory developments and financial market conditions.

Source Note: Market data and factual reporting in this article are sourced from original reports. Commentary and analysis provided by CoinMarketBuzz.