Strive Inc. holds nearly 20,000 Bitcoin, valued at about $1.3 billion, positioning the company among the top corporate Bitcoin holders worldwide. CEO Matt Cole, a former head of fixed-income at CalPERS overseeing $70 billion, emphasizes that critics and supporters of Bitcoin treasury strategies actually agree on the core issue: the erosion of fiat currency value and the challenges it poses to traditional treasury management.
In a recent interview, Cole explained that the divide isn’t about the problem itself but the solution. While skeptics dismiss Bitcoin treasury purchases as risky use without creating real value, Cole argues that Bitcoin sets a new benchmark. If a company’s treasury management can’t outperform Bitcoin over time, it should reconsider its approach.
Strive’s purchase of 759 BTC in June at prices between $63,000 and $74,000 per coin reflects this conviction. Their approach also includes financial innovations like SATA, a perpetual preferred stock designed to provide Bitcoin-linked returns with lower volatility, appealing to conservative investors.
Critics such as short-seller Jim Chanos call these strategies “financial gibberish,” warning about added volatility and risk. Still, Cole points out that both sides acknowledge the risks of government debt and currency debasement, differing mainly on whether Bitcoin is the right hedge.
Strive’s recent acquisition of Semler Scientific further strengthens its Bitcoin treasury and corporate infrastructure, marking a deliberate commitment to integrating Bitcoin into its financial strategy.
