n a surprising move, MicroStrategy's co-founder, Michael Saylor, has announced his plan to sell $216 million worth of company shares to invest in Bitcoin. This decision comes as Bitcoin continues to gain popularity and acceptance in the financial world.Β
Michael Saylor's Bitcoin Investment Strategy
Michael Saylor, known for his bullish stance on Bitcoin, has decided to use a portion of his personal wealth to invest in the leading cryptocurrency. He plans to sell 310,000 stock option awards, originally granted in 2014, to acquire more Bitcoin for his personal account. This move highlights his confidence in Bitcoin's long-term growth potential.
The decision to sell company shares for Bitcoin was revealed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Saylor's selling strategy involves divesting up to 5,000 shares per trading day within a four-month window, subject to a minimum price condition. This allows him to gradually sell his vested options while taking advantage of favorable market conditions.
MicroStrategy's Continued Bitcoin Accumulation
MicroStrategy, the business intelligence company co-founded by Saylor, has been actively accumulating Bitcoin for its corporate treasury. From November 30 to December 26, the company purchased 14,620 Bitcoins, bringing their total holdings to 189,150 Bitcoins worth over $8 billion. This makes MicroStrategy the largest listed corporate holder of Bitcoin among public companies.
As Saylor plans his personal Bitcoin investment, the price of Bitcoin has been soaring. It recently surpassed $45,000, indicating strong market momentum. Additionally, Bitcoin set a new record on New Year's Eve with over 731,000 transactions processed in a single day. These developments further reinforce the growing adoption and utility of Bitcoin.
Saylor's Optimism about MicroStrategy
Despite selling a portion of his company shares, Saylor remains optimistic about MicroStrategy's prospects. He emphasized that his equity stake in the company will still remain significant after the sales. This demonstrates his unwavering belief in the long-term success of MicroStrategy and its strategic focus on Bitcoin.