Hong Kong-based chip maker, Nano Labs, listed on Nasdaq, has recently made a significant move in the cryptocurrency market by investing $50 million in Binance‘s altcoin, BNB. The company acquired 74,315 BNB units in an over-the-counter (OTC) market transaction, averaging a purchase price of $672.45 each. This aggressive acquisition marks the company’s first major step toward achieving its goal of owning up to 10% of BNB’s total supply. Following this transaction, Nano Labs’ crypto reserves, including Bitcoin 
$91,967, have surged to $160 million. Half of the $1 billion budget for these investments is set to be financed through the issuance of convertible bonds.
Strategic Investment in BNB
Nano Labs regards its $50 million BNB purchase as the initial phase of its vision to hold a substantial proportion of the supply. Authorized by its board, the company aims to utilize its expertise in supply chain management to convert cash flow into BNB coin. The strategy of using the OTC method ensured that such a sizable purchase did not disrupt the market price, maintaining an average cost of $672.45 per BNB. The management plans to proceed with the remaining $950 million investments gradually, considering market liquidity throughout the year.
Funding for these investments will rely heavily on convertible bonds, which, upon maturity, can convert into equity. This financing approach introduces leverage into the balance sheet without immediately diluting existing shareholders’ voting rights. Nano Labs’ executives have highlighted BNB’s potential role in global payment networks as a reason for their preference and see it as a key tool for long-term portfolio diversification.
Market Reaction and Corporate Sentiments
The announcement of the acquisition led to a 4.7% drop in Nano Labs’ stock, closing at $8.38 per share on the same day. This decline reflects investors’ concerns over the increased volatility in the company’s balance sheet due to such large-scale cryptocurrency holdings. Analysts have labeled the company’s decision to tie up roughly a third of its cash reserves in a single cryptocurrency as bold yet risky.
Meanwhile, the concept of accumulating BNB as a “treasury asset” is gaining traction among corporate circles. Last month, a team of former hedge fund managers announced plans to establish a $100 million public company aiming to collect BNB. Institutional moves like these continue to influence the supply dynamics of the altcoin gradually.
