CHONGQING, CHINA – APRIL 26: In this photo illustration, the logo of MicroStrategy Incorporated is … More
As the bitcoin price surges past $100,000, a significant shift is underway in corporate finance: companies are turning to bitcoin treasuries as a strategic asset. Pioneered by MicroStrategy, this trend is no longer an experiment but a competitive advantage for forward-thinking businesses. What’s driving this adoption, and how can investors leverage it? It’s time to find out why bitcoin treasuries are becoming the new gold standard and what it means for the future of wealth preservation.
As a globally traded asset, bitcoin is now widely recognized as both a commodity and a currency. As such, it could be beneficial, not only to retail investors but also to institutions. MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor made the first step back in 2020, putting bitcoin on his company’s balance sheet, and now it seems like others are following the lead.
MicroStrategy’s bold move: From software to bitcoin-focused strategy
Back in August 2020, when MicroStrategy announced the acquisition of 21,454 Bitcoin for $250 million, Saylor recognized the distinctive qualities of this new digital commodity and literally went all-in, turning his company into a Bitcoin-acquisition vehicle. This strategy turned out to be a great success. According to its Q1 2025 earnings report, the company achieved a $5.8 billion gain from bitcoin holdings (“BTC $ Gain”), reaching 58% of its annual target.
In fact, MicroStrategy’s stock (MSTR) became a proxy between TradFi and crypto: they showed how to legitimately invest in bitcoin (earlier, it was sometimes the only way, along with the GBTC fund). On top of this, there is the most liquid and largest MSTR options market, and other vehicles for channeling capital from TradFi into Bitcoin, such as STRK, STRF, and convertible notes. Beyond these, we have MSTU, MSTY, and MSTX.
The former business of MicroStrategy was left behind, so the name change came just in time – the company is no longer “micro” in any way. It is a giant juggernaut that paves the way for other companies. Their thesis is simple: “If you look at this asset’s performance, you see bitcoin is up 60% a year for the last four years. You see bonds (have low single-digit annual returns over the same period). So we’re arbitraging (almost) 0% money against 60% money,” said Michael Saylor in a November 2024 interview with Barron’s.
Therefore, if a company holds bitcoin, over time it can outrun its competitors by managing its corporate treasury far more efficiently. Does it come with risks? Sure. Bitcoin can also go down. But if you are a long-term player (remember the four-year cycles) and especially if you buy bitcoin the same way Strategy does (with unsecured debt), you are mostly safe, as there cannot be a margin-call event even if bitcoin dips to its lows.
HODLing as a growing trend
As of today, there are 101 BTC treasuries among public companies, holding a total of 765,805 BTC. Those include MARA Holdings, Tesla, Riot Platforms, and Metaplanet, which announced plans to raise an additional $250 million to expand its bitcoin strategy, according to a May 1, 2025, post on X.
Bitcointreasuries.net vividly illustrates how the trend has evolved over recent years. It’s easy to observe that exponential growth started in early November, just after Trump won the presidential election, signaling regulatory relief and a green light for crypto. Even in March and February, the trend remained up despite BTC’s correction below $80,000.
What about buyers’ stock performance? It’s too early to judge, but recent newcomers — Cantor Equity Partners (CEP) and Asset Entities (ASST) — surged after their announcements: CEP is up approximately 200% since early May, according to Benzinga, while ASST has climbed more than 1,000% since May 6, as reported by TheStreet.
Impressive? Definitely.
Will it continue? According to game theory, any specific behavior that confers a competitive advantage will be widely adopted. So it’s very likely. This wave has only just started, so we can expect more news on companies joining the Bitcoin standard. But the biggest benefits will accrue to those who move first.
Bitcoin treasuries could serve as a gateway for individual investors
How can an individual investor capitalize on this trend? That’s a good question. For someone ready to take on risk, it might be wise to watch companies with strong public businesses that put part of their treasury cash into bitcoin. Such an approach offers bitcoin’s upside while keeping risk moderate, because the objects of investment are sound businesses, not just “magic internet money.” According to Blockworks, between October 2020 and November 2021, MicroStrategy’s stock rose from $165 to nearly $900 — a 440% gain driven by bitcoin’s rise from $11,000 to $69,000 during the same period.
The last bull market showed that companies with bitcoin treasuries tend to outperform their peers, and the current one may follow suit. With its proven track record of outperforming traditional investments, bitcoin offers a compelling hedge against inflation and a path to long-term wealth preservation, even despite its inherent volatility.
The wave of Bitcoin adoption is only beginning, and those who recognize its potential today may well reap the greatest rewards tomorrow. Whether you’re a corporation or an individual investor, the message is clear: Bitcoin treasuries are redefining the future of finance. And it’s better to be a part of it.
