BlackRock has raised its stake in Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) to 5%, according to a Feb. 6 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The firm now holds approximately 11.2 million shares, up from 4.09% in September 2024. Following the disclosure, Strategy’s stock rose 2.8% in pre-market trading, reaching $331.90 per share.
Strategy remains the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin (BTC), with 471,107 BTC worth about $48 billion.
Despite reporting a $670 million net loss in Q4 2024, the company continues to pursue its “21/21 Plan,” which aims to raise $42 billion for additional Bitcoin purchases. So far, it has secured $20 billion through debt and equity financing.
Strategy recently rebranded as part of its strategy to strengthen its position as the world’s largest Bitcoin treasury company.
BlackRock and Bitcoin
BlackRock preparing to launch its first Bitcoin exchange-traded product in Europe, following the success of its $58 billion Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. The fund is expected to be based in Switzerland, with marketing potentially starting this month.
The asset manager has significantly expanded its involvement with Bitcoin. In January 2024, the firm launched the iShares Bitcoin Trust, a spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund, which has since become the largest of its kind, amassing over $50 billion in assets.
BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink, has shifted from skepticism to support for Bitcoin, citing its potential as a hedge against currency devaluation and a valuable asset in investors’ portfolios. The firm recommends a modest allocation of 1% to 2% in Bitcoin to capture diversification benefits without significantly increasing risk.
Read the full article here