MicroStrategy (MSTR), a prominent Bitcoin holding company, has once again expanded its BTC holdings with a substantial purchase of 14,620 Bitcoin, amounting to a staggering $615.7 million.
The former CEO of the American business intelligence (BI) firm announced the acquisition, highlighting the company’s continued confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term potential.
With the potential approval of Bitcoin spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the horizon, MicroStrategy aims to capitalize on the positive impact on BTC’s price and the company’s profitability in the leading cryptocurrency market.
MicroStrategy Stock Skyrockets 337%
According to a CNBC report, MicroStrategy’s stock has experienced a remarkable 337% surge in 2023, making it one of the top gainers among US companies valued at $5 billion or more.
This success surpasses the rallies of industry giants like Nvidia and Meta. Unlike its tech peers, MicroStrategy’s appeal to investors stems primarily from its Bitcoin holdings.
MicroStrategy’s market capitalization currently stands at $8.5 billion, with a staggering 90% directly tied to its Bitcoin holdings. The company’s stock price closely mirrors the performance of Bitcoin, with significant fluctuations in response to the cryptocurrency’s price movements.
Per the report, in 2022, when Bitcoin experienced a 64% decline, MicroStrategy’s stock plummeted by 74%. Despite the substantial gains achieved this year, MicroStrategy shares are still below their peak levels in 2021, during the cryptocurrency’s peak.
Michael Saylor’s Vision
MicroStrategy’s decision to invest in Bitcoin dates back to July 2020, when the company recognized the potential of alternative assets, including digital currencies.
At that time, MicroStrategy had a market capitalization of around $1.1 billion, primarily driven by its software business, which has been shrinking since 2015. Co-founder Michael Saylor, who was CEO then, saw an opportunity to put the company’s idle cash reserves to work, considering low interest rates and the need for diversification.
Saylor’s conviction in Bitcoin as a digital form of gold led MicroStrategy to prioritize Bitcoin purchases over equities and precious metals. This strategic move exposed investors to Bitcoin indirectly through MicroStrategy’s stock.
Saylor, who transitioned to executive chairman, remains optimistic about Bitcoin’s future, expecting the bull market to continue into the next year. Despite its growing popularity, Saylor emphasized that Bitcoin still represents only a fraction of global capital allocation, with ample room for further growth.
As of December 27, 2023, MicroStrategy’s latest purchase adds to its already impressive Bitcoin portfolio, bringing the total holdings to 189,150 BTC.
The company has invested approximately $5.9 billion, with an average purchase price of $31,168 per Bitcoin. These strategic acquisitions position MicroStrategy as a major player in the crypto space, aligning its interests with the anticipated growth and adoption of Bitcoin.
The current market data shows that Bitcoin is trading at $42,900, reflecting a marginal 0.5% increase over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency briefly dipped below its critical support level of $42,000 but has since regained its position.
The market is anticipating the potential approval of the Bitcoin Spot ETF applications between January 5 and 10, 2024.
This development holds significant promise for Bitcoin, as it could drive the cryptocurrency’s price well beyond $50,000, establishing a new yearly high and edging closer to its historical peak.
Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView.com