Michael Saylor Explains Why Banks Won’t Wait For Bitcoin

This acceleration traces to Basel III reforms finalized in July 2025, which classified Bitcoin as a Tier 1 asset for banks, per Federal Reserve guidelines that month.

Eight of the top 10 U.S. banks now facilitate crypto lending, up from zero in Q4 2024, according to a PwC report released November 28, 2025, analyzing $50 billion in new credit lines extended since September. Schwabs planned custody rollout in Q1 2026, announced December 2, rounds out the list.

Bitcoin News on Lending Boom: $50 Billion in New Credit Lines

Saylor emphasized lending as the tipping point. He pointed to JPMorgans $10 billion BTC-backed credit facility launched October 15, 2025, per company filings.

This follows a broader surge: Crypto lending volumes hit $150 billion annualized in Q4, up 300% from Q1, per Kaiko Researchs December 3 report, with banks capturing 40% share from DeFi protocols.

Banks hold Bitcoin as collateral at 50-70% LTV, issuing USD loans at 4-6% rates, lower than DeFis 8% averages on Aave, per its dashboard.

PNCs program, rolled out November 20, has originated $2.5 billion in loans, mostly to family offices, per American Banker December 2.

This Bitcoin news reduces volatility drag: Borrowers avoid selling BTC during dips, preserving upside.

Institutional flows back this. BlackRocks IBIT ETF AUM reached $62.45 billion by December 5, up 5% weekly, while derivatives notional surged from $10 billion to $50 billion in four weeks, CME Group data confirms November 28.

Saylor tied it to macro:

“It‘s macro. It’s political. Its structural. Mega-finance actors are steering Bitcoin now.”

Saylor dismissed the 4-year halving cycle as outdated. “The halving isnt what drives Bitcoin anymore,” he argued in the clip, noting daily volumes at $100 billion, 5x the 2021 average, render supply shocks marginal.

Post-April 2024 halving, Bitcoin‘s 120% YTD gain stems from ETFs and corporate treasuries like MicroStrategy’s 650,000 BTC holdings.