Co-founder and Chairman of MicroStrategy Michael Saylor, during a recent speech at the ICR Conference in Orlando, has once again shaken up the financial world by proclaiming that companies need to ditch old-fashioned bonds in favor of Bitcoin. He made the call labeling bonds as “toxic” during his speech while asking businesses to look into Bitcoin’s potential.
Comparing Investment Returns
Saylor bases his argument on a comparison of investment returns. Since MicroStrategy adopted its Bitcoin-buying strategy in 2020, Bitcoin has shown remarkable resilience and growth, while bonds have faltered.
He presented data indicating that while many companies cling to outdated financial practices—such as purchasing Treasury bonds—those who embrace Bitcoin stand to benefit significantly. “Every company has a choice to make: cling to the past or embrace the future,” he stated, emphasizing the transformative potential of digital assets.
Companies should buy Bitcoin because bonds are “toxic,” according to MicroStrategy Chairman Michael Saylor https://t.co/SOZdLagLCC
— Bloomberg (@business) January 13, 2025
The Case For Bitcoin
During his speech, Saylor mentioned that MicroStrategy’s own investments have been rewarding. The company recently closed an acquisition of Bitcoin worth $243 million. It is their 10th consecutive week in purchasing the cryptocurrency.
Saylor was critical of the tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia for not following suit. He said that they are missing a revolutionary opportunity. He used an image to drive the point home with a slide indicating that only 70 companies have Bitcoin today, so those who are slow might be left out.
The landscape of finance is changing, and Saylor says that companies should evolve to remain in the loop. He even provocatively added, “What’s the downside? Well, you just get rich,” underlining his conviction that Bitcoin is a better investment vehicle.
Future Implications
Saylor’s statement is indicative of a broader change in how companies perceive digital assets, and it extends beyond corporate finance. He advised leaders to think about their obligations to their families and investors in addition to the future of their company as he wrapped off his remarks. “Adopt Bitcoin,” he exhorted, presenting it as a moral requirement for influential people.
Saylor’s influence has now appeared to extend into the political sphere as well. Saylor received an invitation to Mar-a-Lago to talk more about Bitcoin following Donald Trump’s reelection. Trump has met with executives of the cryptocurrency industry in the past to discuss regulations that impact the sector. These exchanges show that the potential economic impact of cryptocurrencies is becoming more widely acknowledged.
Michael Saylor’s passionate call for Bitcoin, rather than a traditional bond, isn’t just a matter of an investment strategy. It represents an ideological shift within finance. If companies adopt the digital currency that he advocates for, then everything about business could change in terms of operations and investment.
Featured image from TheStreet, chart from TradingView
