Michael Saylor, the co-founder, and chairman of MicroStrategy Inc., stated in a recent interview with Bloomberg Television that he expects his software firm to maintain its appeal as a Bitcoin proxy, even with the potential approval of the first U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) that directly holds the cryptocurrency. MicroStrategy, a Virginia-based company, holds the highest amount of Bitcoin among all publicly traded companies.
Saylor believes that despite the efforts of asset managers like BlackRock to get approval for an ETF, MicroStrategy’s model of not charging an investment fee gives it a distinct advantage. The company recently increased its BTC holdings significantly, making a second-quarter acquisition worth approximately $361.4 million, the company’s most significant purchase since BTC prices reached their peak in late 2021.
Bitcoin ETF as a Potential Boost to the Crypto Ecosystem
Saylor made an interesting analogy during the interview to describe the potential impact of a Bitcoin ETF. “We are that sports car. The spot ETF will be that super tanker,” he said. He further stated that he sees the approval of a spot Bitcoin ETF as a highly positive event for the entire Bitcoin and broader crypto ecosystem.
The approval of a Bitcoin ETF is expected to bring substantial additional investments into the ecosystem. These investments could potentially come from large hedge funds, which are constantly on the lookout for profitable and secure investment avenues. Saylor expressed his view that the approval would serve as a significant stepping stone, enabling new market entrants and driving a general increase in the adoption and acceptance of BTC and other digital assets.
According to Saylor, the presence of both MicroStrategy and a potential ETF in the Bitcoin space would not lead to competition but would instead be beneficial for the entire ecosystem. The ETF would operate like a ‘super tanker,’ maintaining stability and supporting the whole structure, while MicroStrategy, likened to a ‘sports car,’ would drive innovation and rapid progress in the Bitcoin domain.
MicroStrategy’s Bold Bitcoin Strategy
The company reported on Tuesday that it has acquired around $4.53 billion worth of Bitcoin to date. As of July 31, MicroStrategy held 152,800 BTC, underscoring its massive presence in the crypto landscape.
Saylor initiated the strategy of buying Bitcoin in 2020 as a response to the need to cut down on the company’s cash holdings, given the looming threat of inflation. This strategic shift was also influenced by the stagnation of revenue from the software business, prompting the company to find alternative revenue streams and forms of investment.
On Tuesday, MicroStrategy also disclosed in a filing that it might raise as much as $750 million through share sales and use the proceeds for various corporate purposes, one of which could potentially include further BTC purchases.
While the company’s shares fell around 7% to $404.81 as of 3:43 p.m. in New York, they have nearly tripled this year, following a 74% tumble in 2022. The stock reached an all-time high of $1,315 in February 2021.
Conclusion
Despite the fluctuations, Saylor remains confident about MicroStrategy’s role in the BTC ecosystem. The company’s aggressive investment strategy combined with the potential Bitcoin ETF approval could potentially reshape the cryptocurrency investment landscape, opening new avenues and opportunities for all involved parties.
