GameStop made headlines this week when it confirmed a major Bitcoin purchase. The retailer bought 4,710 BTC for about $513 million. The money came from cash raised in March through a $1.4 billion convertible notes sale. This is the first time GameStop has put crypto on its balance sheet.
High Stakes Crypto Purchase
According to a company statement, GameStop used part of its debt proceeds to buy Bitcoin. That $1.4 billion note sale was meant to give the company more options beyond video games and accessories. Now, almost half a billion dollars sits in crypto. It’s a bold move for a chain that’s still known for its physical stores and brick-and-mortar footprint.
Share Price Swings And Investor Response
Based on reports, talk of a crypto push sent GameStop’s shares higher early this year. Rumors in February drove the stock up about 18%. Then in March, when management first mentioned a possible crypto plan, shares jumped another 10%.
On May 27, the stock closed at $35. In pre-market trading the next day, it was at $36.30. Over the past month, GameStop shares have risen around 28%. For the year, they are up about 11%.
Retail Sales Continue To Slide
GameStop’s core business hasn’t been as lucky. The latest quarter showed a 25% drop in revenue compared to the same period last year. That kind of slide makes it tough to justify a high valuation.
At more than 100× trailing earnings, the company trades like a high-growth tech firm, not a retail chain with falling sales. Some investors worry that the Bitcoin play is a distraction from shoring up the basics of the store business.
Debt Load Raises Concerns
Using debt to buy crypto adds another layer of risk. Convertible notes can turn into shares if the stock price hits certain levels. That dilutes existing shareholders. If Bitcoin takes a dive, GameStop could face paper losses on its $513 million investment. At the same time, it still needs to manage the cost of its debt and keep the lights on in its stores.
GameStop’s bet on Bitcoin shows just how far the company is willing to go to shake off its image as a fading retailer. The play could pay off if crypto keeps rallying. But it could also backfire if Bitcoin tumbles or the core business doesn’t recover. Either way, this move will be watched closely by both crypto fans and long-time GameStop customers.
Featured image from GameRant, chart from TradingView
