James Van Straten is a British data analyst and cryptocurrency researcher. He is known for his role as a senior analyst at CoinDesk and his position on the advisory board of Coinsilium, where he contributes to Bitcoin market analysis and treasury strategy. ^{[5] [8]}

Education

Van Straten attended Nottingham Trent University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics, graduating in 2017. ^{[6] [7]}

Career

Following his graduation in 2017, Van Straten began his career in data analytics at MediaCom. In his initial role as a data and analytics executive, he was responsible for managing global pixel setups, data analysis, and coordinating traffic for major clients, including American Airlines, EY, and iRobot. He was subsequently promoted to data analyst, expanding his responsibilities to include tag management, ad trafficking, and campaign analysis. In 2018, Van Straten moved to Hasbro as a specialist in digital analytics, where he focused on providing insights to support e-commerce sales and developing performance dashboards. He advanced to the role of regional data manager for Europe and Asia in 2020, where he oversaw data systems, contributed to the development of a centralized data lake, and worked on improving data efficiency using tools such as VBA and SQL.

He transitioned into the cryptocurrency sector in 2021, joining Saidler & Co. as a research and on-chain analyst. In this capacity, he conducted structured research on Bitcoin, layer-one protocols, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and macroeconomic trends. His work involved market analysis and the development of trading strategies. In 2024, Van Straten became a senior analyst at CoinDesk. The following year, in 2025, he was appointed to the advisory board of Coinsilium, where he advises on the company’s Bitcoin treasury strategy. ^{[6] [7]}

Interviews

UK Bitcoin Adoption and Treasury Strategy

In a June 2025 interview on the New Foundations podcast, Van Straten and Malcolm Palle of Coinsilium discussed the landscape of Bitcoin adoption in the United Kingdom. They observed that despite growing institutional interest, the UK's regulatory environment presented significant hurdles, causing the market to lag behind other jurisdictions in offering Bitcoin investment products. The conversation detailed the strategy for Coinsilium's subsidiary, Forza, which was established to manage Bitcoin treasuries in a compliant manner. Palle highlighted the importance of secure custody for the company's Bitcoin holdings, which were initially capitalized with 15 BTC following a fundraising effort. Van Straten noted a clear increase in knowledge and interest among retail investors, suggesting that this grassroots support could be a key factor in driving broader institutional acceptance. They also addressed the need for companies in the Bitcoin treasury space to differentiate themselves as the market becomes more competitive. ^[2]

Bitcoin and Portfolio Theory

During a discussion at the Bitcoin Conference MENA in December 2024, Van Straten, representing CoinDesk, and Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad of Bitpanda analyzed Bitcoin's role within modern portfolio theory. They examined the asset's significant price appreciation in 2024, which saw it rise from approximately $25,000 to a new all-time high near $73,000. This surge was attributed largely to the launch of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs and a corresponding increase in institutional adoption. The speakers contrasted the growing regulatory clarity in regions such as the UAE with the more cautious pace of adoption in Europe. Enzersdorfer-Konrad emphasized the importance of educating institutional investors on Bitcoin's role as a long-term store of value, while also recognizing the need to establish robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate volatility. Both participants expressed a positive outlook on Bitcoin's future, predicting greater integration into traditional financial systems. ^[1]

Forza

In a May 2025 episode of the Bitcoin Treasuries podcast, Tim Cotsman interviewed Malcolm Palle and Van Straten from Coinsilium Group and its newly launched Bitcoin treasury company, Forza. They discussed the recent fundraising efforts by Coinsilium, which provided the initial capital to acquire an initial 15 Bitcoin for Forza, and outlined their strategic vision of accumulating Bitcoin while exploring methods to enhance yields. Palle emphasized the importance of distinguishing between Coinsilium and Forza to clarify their respective roles, as the latter aims to establish itself independently over time. Both speakers noted the lack of Bitcoin exposure options for retail investors in the UK, especially due to regulatory bans on retail-centric cryptocurrency products. The conversation also touched upon the changing institutional interest in Bitcoin, with assertions that both institutions and retail investors are becoming increasingly educated about the cryptocurrency's potential. As the market evolves, they expressed optimism about the future growth of Bitcoin and the role Forza intends to play within this emerging landscape. ^[4]

UK Economic Outlook

Appearing on The Peter McCormack Show in February 2025 alongside Conservative MP Steve Baker, Van Straten discussed the potential for a severe economic crisis in the UK. The conversation focused on the country's unsustainable national debt and large public sector pension liabilities, which they argued could lead to a financial collapse within one to two decades. The speakers criticized government overspending, the lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis, and a perceived failure by politicians to address pressing economic issues. The discussion also explored the impact of monetary policy, inflation, and the disruptive potential of emerging technologies, such as cryptocurrencies. Van Straten and Baker noted a growing public demand for fiscal responsibility and systemic reform, particularly among younger generations who are increasingly seeking alternatives to established political and economic models. ^[3]