Michael Saylor, the CEO of MicroStrategy, is making headlines by encouraging Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella to invest in Bitcoin. This comes in light of recent discussions that Microsoft is exploring the possibility of including Bitcoin in its investment portfolio. Saylor’s message is aimed at asserting the potential benefits of such a move for Microsoft and its shareholders.
Encouragement for Bitcoin Investment
In a bold tweet directed at Nadella, Saylor announced, “Hey @SatyaNadella, if you want to make the next trillion dollars for $MSFT shareholders, call me.” He included a proposal highlighting MicroStrategy’s success in investing in Bitcoin, underscoring the spectacular performance of MicroStrategy shares compared to Microsoft this year. According to a document from the National Center For Public Policy, MicroStrategy’s stock has seen a dramatic rise of 313% over Microsoft, despite MicroStrategy handling only a fraction of the business volume.
The document also emphasizes that MicroStrategy isn’t alone in its shift; it notes that corporate and institutional adoption of Bitcoin is becoming increasingly prevalent. Of particular interest is Microsoft’s second-largest shareholder, BlackRock, which offers its clients a Bitcoin ETF, signaling a broader acceptance of Bitcoin in the corporate world.
Microsoft’s Upcoming Vote on Bitcoin
Microsoft announced that its shareholders would vote on a Bitcoin investment proposal on December 10. Interestingly, the company’s board recommends a vote against this proposal, raising questions about the internal considerations and strategies at play regarding cryptocurrency investments. The proposal posits that in the current inflationary climate, companies should diversify their investments to include assets that have the potential for appreciation beyond traditional bonds, even if those options are deemed more volatile.
Saylor’s Controversial Position and Statements
Saylor’s call for Bitcoin investment gained traction amidst some controversy surrounding recent statements he made. Just days ago, he expressed a desire to donate his considerable Bitcoin holdings for the benefit of “humanity.” He stated to The New Zealand Herald, “I’m a single guy with no children—when I’m gone, I’m gone,” reminiscent of Satoshi Nakamoto’s legacy of leaving a significant amount of Bitcoin to the world.
Saylor has also found himself in hot water after making critical comments about self-custody wallets, which caught backlash from the crypto community. His controversial choice of words included describing some followers as “paranoid crypto-anarchists.” However, he later clarified his position, declaring his support for self-custody while advocating for the freedom of choice regarding custody methods for both individuals and institutions globally.
MicroStrategy’s Ascendant Trajectory
Despite the recent controversies surrounding Saylor, MicroStrategy continues to thrive in its ambition to operate as a “Bitcoin bank.” As of recent reports, the company’s stock value, heavily bolstered by its Bitcoin holdings, has surpassed that of Microsoft, drawing attention to the shifting landscape and the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies among publicly traded corporations.