Genius Group Limited, a Bitcoin-focused education company, has announced a $33 million rights offering to expand its Bitcoin Treasury.

The offering will allow existing shareholders to purchase additional shares at $0.50 each, with proceeds earmarked entirely for Bitcoin (BTC) purchases, according to a company release. 

Each shareholder will receive one transferable right for every share they hold as of Jan. 24, 2025. These rights will enable shareholders to buy shares at the set price and, if fully exercised, give them the option to purchase any remaining unsubscribed shares.

Shareholders who choose not to use their rights can sell them on the NYSE American, with trading set to begin on Jan. 23, 2025. The rights offering will close on Feb. 14, 2025.

Genius Group’s Bitcoin embrace 

The move is part of Genius Group’s plan to increase its Bitcoin holdings. If fully subscribed, the offering would raise $33 million, boosting the company’s Bitcoin reserves from $35 million to $68 million. Additionally, the company aims to secure up to $20 million in loans, which could push its Bitcoin Treasury to $86 million.

Founder and CEO Roger Hamilton plans to purchase 500,000 additional shares as part of a prior agreement and has committed to fully subscribing to his rights in the offering, according to the release. His shareholding could rise to over 10% of the company’s total shares.

Genius Group, which integrates AI solutions into education, views Bitcoin as a key component of its financial strategy. CEO Roger Hamilton has compared the company’s approach to that of other publicly traded firms that have adopted Bitcoin as a reserve asset, emphasizing its potential as a “store of value” in the digital economy.

The firm’s “Bitcoin-first” strategy aligns with its plans to incorporate blockchain technology into its AI-powered education platforms. These plans include implementing on-chain certifications and reward systems using Bitcoin’s Lightning Network.