MicroStrategy profitable after Bitcoin rise vindicates CEO Michael Saylor’s crypto strategy

The Tysons Corner, Virginia-based company had net income of $22.2 million, or $1.54 a share, compared with a loss of more than $1 billion, or $94 a share, in the year-ago period. 

The company, controlled by Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, missed Wall Street’s revenue estimates, with sales dropping 1.4% to $120.4 million. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expected $123.2 million. The firm recorded digital-asset impairment losses of $24.1 million. 

MicroStrategy acquired about $361.4 million in Bitcoin during the second quarter, the company’s largest purchase since prices peaked in late 2021. That brought MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin purchases to around $4.53 billion. The company bought 467 more tokens since June 30, according to a statement Tuesday. As of July 31, the company held 152,800 Bitcoin.

In a filing Tuesday, MicroStrategy said it may raise as much as $750 million via share sales and use the proceeds for general corporate purposes — including Bitcoin purchases and working capital — as well as the repurchase of debt.

Saylor began buying Bitcoin in 2020, citing the need to reduce the company’s holdings of cash because of the perceived eroding threat of inflation. The shift came as revenue from the software business stagnated. Saylor gave up his chief executive officer title a year ago, saying he would focus on the Bitcoin aspect of the company’s dual strategy. 

MicroStrategy’s operations are still unprofitable, having booked a quarterly operating loss of $26.7 million in the quarter. The company has over $700 million in deferred tax benefits from prior writedowns of its Bitcoin holdings. Now that Bitcoin has recovered in value, the company has removed a valuation allowance against the tax assets.

Phong Le, who took over as CEO when Saylor shifted to executive chairman, said on a conference call Tuesday that the company’s chief revenue officer resigned and he has assumed those responsibilities. 

Bitcoin closed the second quarter up 7% to $30,390, building on a first-quarter surged of almost 72%. In last year’s second quarter, the largest digital currency by market value had tumbled 59% to $18,731. 

Bitcoin rose as much as 2.8% on Wednesday and was trading at $29,715 as of 11:30 a.m. in Singapore.

Shares of MicroStrategy, which serve as a Bitcoin proxy for many equity investors, was little changed at around $434 after the close of regular trading. They’ve more than tripled this year, after tumbling 74% in 2022. The stock soared as high as $1,315 in February 2021.