MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor Rakes In $400M From Bitcoin Investments, Report Reveals

As an experienced financial analyst, I find Michael Saylor’s Bitcoin (BTC) investment strategy with MicroStrategy fascinating. His ability to turn a $1 salary into an estimated $400 million through the sale of stock options and the surge in MicroStrategy’s stock price is truly remarkable.


Michael Saylor, the co-founder and current executive chairman at MicroStrategy, made significant purchases of Bitcoin in 2020. These acquisitions have since brought substantial returns for the business intelligence company.

Saylor Turns $1 Salary Into $400 Million

Based on a Fortune Magazine article, it’s alleged that Saylor made around $400 million by selling about 5,000 shares of MicroStrategy stock each day, as part of a prearranged plan.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed some recent stock sales from MicroStrategy (MSTR) that were instigated after the expiration of options granted back in 2014. It’s worth mentioning that this year, MSTR’s stock has experienced remarkable growth and reached an all-time high (ATH) of $1,195 – a significant leap from its closing price of approximately $160 at the end of 2014. This surge in value outpaces even the impressive gains made by the top cryptocurrencies on the market.

MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor Rakes In $400M From Bitcoin Investments, Report Reveals

As a crypto investor following MicroStrategy closely, I’ve observed that despite some apprehensions about Michael Saylor selling at the peak as a controlling shareholder, the impressive performance of MicroStrategy’s stock has effectively alleviated these concerns among us investors.

In a November conference call, Saylor clarified that he had earned only one dollar in salary over the last ten years and was unable to receive cash bonuses. He went on to explain that exercising these options would allow him to meet specific obligations and purchase additional Bitcoin for his account.

Lance Vitanza, a managing director at TD Cowen, pointed out that the media may have overfocused on the issue more than investors themselves. They recognize that Michael Saylor still holds a significant stake in MicroStrategy’s shares.

MicroStrategy’s price tag above Bitcoin, noticeably so since the launch of US Bitcoin ETFs, is causing some concern.

In March, Kerrisdale Capital Management LLC expressed concern and decided to sell (short) the stock, as they believed its price growth in the digital asset market was advancing too rapidly.

As a researcher and adjunct professor at Columbia Business School with consulting experience in blockchain firms, I raised doubts about the logic of buying Mastercard (MSTR) stocks at a higher price point when there are now readily accessible Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that provide investment exposure to the same sector.

Campbell characterized MSTR as a “retail stock imbued with magical beliefs,” drawing parallels to Tesla (TSLA), which frequently disregards financial fundamentals and relies on public sentiment for trading. However, this trend may persist but is not perpetual.

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin Play

In an intriguing turn of events, MicroStrategy recorded a first-quarter loss amounting to $53 million. Remarkably, this financial setback occurred even as the value of their Bitcoin reserves experienced a significant increase.

Based on the findings in the report, under present accounting regulations, it is not permissible for the company to record the appreciation in value of its Bitcoins, which experienced a significant rise of approximately 67% during the past quarter.

As an analyst, I would rephrase it as follows: A new accounting rule that came into effect recently mandates the valuation of digital assets at current market prices. Companies have until 2025 to make this adjustment. Instead of complying with this change for the first quarter, MicroStrategy recognized a $191.6 million loss due to impairment of its digital assets.

As a crypto investor following MicroStrategy’s moves, I can tell you that since this company started buying Bitcoin as a hedge against inflation, the value of their holdings has skyrocketed to an impressive $13.5 billion. In the first quarter alone, they bought an extra 25,250 Bitcoins, adding to their existing stash and bringing their total to a staggering 214,400 Bitcoin by April 26th.

As a researcher studying the investment strategies of various digital asset management firms, I’ve come across Jeff Dorman’s explanation of MicroStrategy’s approach, as led by its chief investment officer. In simpler terms, MicroStrategy follows a strategy where they sell securities, such as equity or debt, to acquire Bitcoin. The subsequent increase in the value of Bitcoin raises the price of MicroStrategy stock. This price hike allows the company to sell even more securities and repeat the cycle, effectively fueling their Bitcoin purchases with the proceeds.

MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor Rakes In $400M From Bitcoin Investments, Report Reveals

At present, Bitcoin’s price stands at $61,200, representing a decline of approximately 7% within the past week. Despite repeated efforts to stabilize above increased prices, Bitcoin has struggled due to escalating selling forces.

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2024-04-30 21:12