Crypto Concerns Force Beckham-Backed Health Company To Stop Buying Bitcoin

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-01-01Last updated on 2026-01-01

Abstract

Nasdaq-listed Prenetics, a health sciences company backed by David Beckham, has halted its daily Bitcoin purchases as of December 4, 2025, citing concerns over crypto market conditions. The company will retain its existing holdings of approximately 510 BTC but will not allocate further capital to Bitcoin accumulation. This decision follows a period of market weakness and comes after Prenetics raised $48 million in equity to support its rapidly growing consumer health brand, IM8. The brand has achieved over $100 million in annualized recurring revenue and is projected to generate $180–200 million in fiscal 2026. Management aims to prioritize business expansion and protect shareholder value while maintaining exposure to potential crypto gains through its current Bitcoin reserve.

Prenetics, the Nasdaq-listed health sciences group backed by soccer star David Beckham, has paused its plan to keep buying Bitcoin for the company treasury.

According to reports, the firm stopped its daily purchases on December 4, 2025, and will hold the coins it already owns rather than add more. The company still retains roughly 510 BTC on its books.

The move comes after a stretch of weak crypto markets and a recent $48 million equity raise that executives say will be used to back its consumer health brand.

Prenetics Halts Daily Bitcoin Buying

According to Bloomberg and other news outlets, Prenetics had been testing a treasury approach similar to models used by other public firms that purchased Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

The company began accumulating Bitcoin earlier in 2025, but management signaled a change in course as market conditions grew harder.

Reports have disclosed that the board and leadership looked at the math and decided pausing purchases would better protect cash and shareholder value while preserving the existing crypto holding.

Bitcoin is currently trading at $88,730. Chart: TradingView

IM8 Growth Takes Center Stage

Based on reports, a large part of the shift is driven by the rapid growth of IM8, Prenetics’ consumer health and nutrition brand co-founded with Beckham. The company has said IM8 reached over $100 million in annualized recurring revenue within 11 months of operations.

Management has also provided guidance that IM8 could generate about $180 million–$200 million in revenue in fiscal 2026, numbers that have helped persuade investors the business can stand on its own.

The $48 million round completed in October 2025 was seen as funding to both back IM8 expansion and to support the earlier Bitcoin plan; now the emphasis is being redirected.

Market Reaction

Shares of Prenetics have shown relative stability even after the announcement, reflecting some investor support for the health business strategy.

Analysts and market watchers say the company’s decision mirrors a wider reassessment among several firms that had adopted crypto treasury strategies earlier in the year.

Where some companies doubled down, others chose caution as Bitcoin fell from its highs and volatility persisted.

Reports point out that holding the existing 510 BTC lets Prenetics keep potential upside without committing fresh capital while it focuses on product growth.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

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Related Questions

QWhy did Prenetics decide to pause its Bitcoin purchasing plan?

APrenetics paused its Bitcoin purchasing plan due to concerns about weak crypto markets and to better protect cash and shareholder value while focusing on the growth of its consumer health brand, IM8.

QHow much Bitcoin does Prenetics currently hold on its books?

APrenetics currently holds approximately 510 Bitcoin on its books.

QWhat is the name of Prenetics' consumer health and nutrition brand, and who is it co-founded with?

APrenetics' consumer health and nutrition brand is called IM8, and it is co-founded with soccer star David Beckham.

QWhat was the purpose of the $48 million equity raise completed in October 2025?

AThe $48 million equity raise was initially intended to fund the expansion of the IM8 brand and support the Bitcoin purchasing plan, but the emphasis has now been redirected primarily towards backing the IM8 growth.

QWhat was the reported annualized recurring revenue for IM8 within its first 11 months of operations?

AIM8 reached over $100 million in annualized recurring revenue within its first 11 months of operations.

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