Alexander Hagen, the chief executive of the Oslo-based Ace Digital, remarked on his ambition for the company to become a leader in the Bitcoin ecosystem in Europe. He mentioned receiving a congratulatory message from Michael Saylor, expressing his initial belief that Ace Digital would rank second, but now anticipates it may fall to eighth place. Speaking at the Nordic Blockchain Association on June 19, 2025, he stated:

“But we have our strategy and we’re going to be firm about it. We differ from most of the others by protecting our downside risk.”

Hagen elaborated that Ace Digital aims to develop products and services centered around a Bitcoin strategy, distinguishing it from competitors. He added that the competition in the Nordic region is just beginning:

“I thought Ace Digital should be the first one in Europe.”

The firm plans to go public on June 27, 2025, having raised over 100 million kroner, with a commitment to acquiring as much Bitcoin as swiftly as possible. Hagen wrapped up his address by affirming that while they are moving into Bitcoin mining, it is primarily to gain deeper insights into the ecosystem, not to directly generate revenue.

“A company is not an ETF. A company is an operating company and can do lots of things a regulated fund cannot do.”