David Beckham-Backed Prenetics Becomes First Healthcare Firm to Buy $20M in Bitcoin, Stock Soars 23%

David Beckham-Backed Prenetics Surprises Markets With $20 Million Bitcoin Treasury Move

A healthcare company best known for genetics and diagnostics is now making headlines for a bold financial strategy.

Prenetics, a Nasdaq-listed firm backed by football icon David Beckham, has invested $20 million to acquire 187.42 Bitcoin—becoming the first publicly traded healthcare company to do so.

Shares in Prenetics surged over 23% following the announcement, closing at $9.26 on 18 June.

Why A Genomics Company Is Going Big On Bitcoin

While most healthcare firms focus their digital evolution on electronic records or AI diagnostics, Prenetics has taken a more radical route.

With its core business rooted in DNA testing via CircleDNA and longevity science, the Hong Kong-headquartered company is now betting big on digital assets.

The Bitcoin acquisition was made through a secure custody account with Kraken, and at an average purchase price of $106,712 per BTC, it reflects a serious level of conviction.

This investment is not a one-off experiment—Prenetics says it plans to allocate most of its corporate treasury to Bitcoin, following board-level approval.

Merging Health, Wealth And Blockchain

According to CEO Danny Yeung, the company’s vision extends far beyond balance sheet management.

“To execute this vision at scale, we need substantial Bitcoin holdings.”

He believes a new era is forming—one where digital assets, genomics, and personalised medicine could converge to transform how people approach health and wealth.

The firm also raised its 2025 revenue forecast to as much as $100 million, expecting to reach profitability by the fourth quarter of the year.

Adopting Strategy’s Playbook With A Healthcare Twist

Prenetics isn’t just holding Bitcoin—it’s planning to put it to work.

Its strategy includes yield-generation through crypto lending, structured products, and broader alpha-seeking activities.

It also intends to begin accepting Bitcoin payments across its consumer health platforms.

This move mirrors the playbook pioneered by Strategy (previously known as MicroStrategy), which began accumulating Bitcoin in 2020.

That strategy has seen Strategy’s stock skyrocket over 3,000%, and now dozens of public companies are following suit.

According to Standard Chartered, at least 61 non-crypto firms have added Bitcoin to their treasuries.

Crypto Veterans Brought On Board To Guide The Shift

To steer its crypto-focused roadmap, Prenetics has brought on major talent from the blockchain world.

Andy Cheung, former Chief Operating Officer at crypto exchange OKX, has joined the board to help navigate the complex digital asset space.

Cheung’s deep operational experience, including oversight of billions in daily trading volume, is expected to bolster Prenetics’ transition into a Web3-aligned company.

Tracy Hoyos-López, Chief of Staff for Strategic Initiatives at Kraken, has also been appointed as an advisor.

Hoyos-López was a key figure behind former President Donald Trump’s “Bitcoin pivot” and is known for her influential role in the industry’s political landscape.

She is joined by Token2049 founder Raphael Strauch in helping Prenetics scale its Bitcoin strategy.

The Future Of Healthcare May Be On The Blockchain

While Prenetics is the first healthcare firm to dive into Bitcoin at this level, the move reflects growing institutional comfort with digital assets as a legitimate store of value.

The company's approach—combining Bitcoin with health innovation and consumer-facing applications—could signal a new model for capital management in sectors far beyond finance or tech.

Is Bitcoin Becoming A New Pillar For Corporate Strategy?

If firms like Prenetics begin treating Bitcoin not just as a treasury hedge but as a tool for building ecosystems, the definition of corporate finance could shift.

A genomics firm managing a digital asset portfolio and accepting crypto payments would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

Now it’s happening—with strong leadership, board backing, and growing investor interest.

The question isn’t whether more companies will follow—but which sectors will be bold enough to lead next.