# Bitcoin VC veterans launch $40 million holding company for small

**Published:** 2026-07-17T17:53:46.883Z  
**Topic:** Bitcoin  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7d0c7f7c-1f75-4edc-9d2b-2a9340b380f9

Bitcoin VC veterans raise $40 million to buy and hold small firms, converting profits to Bitcoin. Anchor investor Ricardo Salinas backs the plan; public

A group of Bitcoin‑focused venture veterans announced the formation of Orange Juice, a $40 million permanent‑capital vehicle that will acquire cash‑generating small and mid‑size businesses, improve them and hold them indefinitely while converting a portion of earnings into Bitcoin [1]. The move comes as traditional Bitcoin treasury firms have seen their stock prices plunge nearly 80 % over the past year, highlighting a shift toward operational cash flow rather than pure asset holding.

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Capital raised | $40 million |
| Anchor investor | Ricardo Salinas (Mexican billionaire) |
| Founders | Jeff Booth, Lyn Alden, Nico Lechuga, Andi Pitt, Adrian Steckel, Ruben Zweiban |
| Strategy | Acquire small‑mid businesses, retain earnings, convert part to Bitcoin |
| Future plan | Pursue a public listing |

## Business model and Bitcoin treasury focus  
Orange Juice will target “small and mid‑sized businesses at low prices,” aiming to improve operations and retain ownership rather than resell the assets, a contrast to typical private‑equity cycles [1]. Retained earnings from these businesses will be partially converted into Bitcoin, creating a diversified cash‑flow base that feeds a growing Bitcoin treasury. Alden notes that existing pure‑play Bitcoin holding companies often lack substantive cash‑flowing operations, a gap Orange Juice intends to fill [1].

## Market context and investor backing  
The launch arrives amid a broader downturn for Bitcoin‑holding corporations; Strategy, the largest public Bitcoin treasury, has seen its Nasdaq‑listed shares fall almost 80 % over the last year [1]. Over 360 digital‑asset treasuries now exist, but many have been forced to liquidate holdings after the crypto price slump [1]. Anchor investor Ricardo Salinas, who recently increased his Bitcoin allocation from 10 % to 70 % of his portfolio, provides both capital and credibility to the venture [1].

## Outlook and next steps  
Orange Juice plans to keep the acquired businesses indefinitely, avoiding the pressure to exit within typical fund cycles. The firm also intends to pursue a public listing, positioning itself as a long‑term vehicle for Bitcoin‑standard businesses [1].

## What to watch
- Progress toward a public listing and any disclosed timeline.  
- Volume of Bitcoin accumulated in the company’s treasury as earnings are converted.  
- Market reaction to the model, especially any shifts in valuation of other Bitcoin treasury firms.

The $40 million launch signals a new hybrid approach that blends traditional cash‑flow businesses with Bitcoin as a treasury asset, testing whether operational earnings can sustain Bitcoin exposure better than pure‑play holding companies in a volatile market.

## Sources
1. Bitcoin Magazine — [Bitcoin VC Veterans Launch $40 Million Holding Company Targeting Small Business Acquisitions](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/bitcoin-vcs-launch-holding-company)
2. Investopedia — [investopedia.com/company-profiles-4689825](https://www.investopedia.com/company-profiles-4689825)
3. Blog — [Bitcoin VC Veterans Launch $40 Million Holding Company...](https://blog.solega.co/bitcoin-vc-veterans-launch-40-million-holding-company-targeting-small-business-acquisitions/)
4. Walletinvestor — [Morgan Stanley opens E*TRADE to spot crypto as Bitcoin slips near...](https://walletinvestor.com/news/crypto-news/morgan-stanley-opens-etrade-to-spot-crypto-as-bitcoin-slips-near-64000/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Bitcoin VC veterans launch $40 million holding company for small", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7d0c7f7c-1f75-4edc-9d2b-2a9340b380f9