MicroStrategy’s decision to move from traditional cash reserves to Bitcoin has reshaped its financial profile, putting the company in the spotlight as a leader in digital asset adoption.
This transition coincides with Bitcoin’s recent surge to unprecedented price levels, significantly increasing MicroStrategy’s position in corporate finance rankings.
Bitcoin-Focused MicroStrategy Surpasses IBM and Nike in Asset Reserves
The company’s Bitcoin holdings, currently valued at around $26 billion, are said to have surpassed the cash and liquid assets of big names like IBM, Nike and Johnson & Johnson. By comparison, data from CompaniesMarketCap shows Nike’s reported cash and securities holdings as of August were $10.9 billion, while IBM held $13.7 billion. Johnson & Johnson’s most recent quarterly figures list $20.29 billion.
This financial position shows that the niche software provider has reshaped its identity by adopting Bitcoin as a core financial asset. Yet despite this impressive position, MicroStrategy still ranks behind about 14 companies, including Apple and Alphabet, in total corporate treasury assets.
The company began buying Bitcoin in 2020 as a response to inflation and declining revenue growth. Initially funded through operating cash flow, these purchases expanded to include capital raised through stock sales and convertible debt issuances.
To date, MicroStrategy has accumulated 279,240 BTC at an average cost of $42,888, for a total investment of approximately $11.9 billion. This makes the company the largest publicly traded Bitcoin shareholder, controlling about 1.3% of the cryptocurrency’s total supply.
What was initially met with skepticism has now become a major draw for investors looking for an indirect approach to Bitcoin. This shift in sentiment has pushed MicroStrategy shares up more than 2,500% since 2020. This follows Bitcoin’s stellar 700% price growth over the same time period.
Currently, unrealized profits from MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings stand at $13.4 billion, representing a 112% increase. The company’s Bitcoin yield — which measures the relationship between the number of Bitcoins held and the number of shares in circulation — is up 26.4% YTD.
However, MicroStrategy’s executive chairman, Michael Saylor, remains steadfast in the company’s Bitcoin-centric vision. The company plans to raise $42 billion in the coming years to further expand its Bitcoin holdings. Meanwhile, MicroStrategy wants to transform itself into a trillion Bitcoin bank, cementing its role as a pioneer in corporate Bitcoin adoption.