Michael Saylor’s software intelligence company, MicroStrategy, has announced a significant shift in its Bitcoin strategy. The firm has approved a new monetization program that allows it to sell up to $1.25 billion worth of its Bitcoin holdings to fund operations. This marks a departure from its longstanding “buy and hold” premise. The announcement fueled a 14% recovery in MSTR shares, which are down 40% year-to-date amid Bitcoin’s more than 30% decline.
MicroStrategy announced a new Bitcoin monetization program enabling potential sales of its holdings. The company stated any Bitcoin sales would be made “from time to time” depending on market conditions and capital needs.
The program could see the company sell up to $1.25 billion worth of its Bitcoin stash. It grants broader powers to sell cryptocurrency, buy back securities, and preserve liquidity.
Amid mounting pressure from Bitcoin’s 2026 decline, there is concern within the company about its massive stockpile. MicroStrategy’s common and preferred shares have tumbled alongside Bitcoin, undermining its financing advantage.
At the start of June, MicroStrategy disclosed it had sold 32 Bitcoin, its first sale since 2022. The amount was negligible relative to holdings worth approximately $51 billion, but the symbolism was significant.
For years, Saylor built the company around a simple premise of raising capital to buy Bitcoin and not selling it. The 2026 crypto market slump has caused a reconsideration of that strategy.
Bitcoin climbed to a peak of $126,080 in October 2025. The upswing was later cut short, and the market witnessed an exodus of investors from cryptocurrencies.
The move away from high-risk assets is attributed to increased macroeconomic uncertainty and growing geopolitical tensions. Bitcoin faced another major correction after the US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
