Michael Saylor Pushes Bitcoin to Microsoft’s Board
Michael Saylor, chairman of MicroStrategy and a long-standing advocate for Bitcoin, has revealed his plans to present a Bitcoin investment strategy to Microsoft’s board of directors.
Speaking during a VanEck-hosted X Spaces on 19 November, Saylor explained that he had been approached to deliver a concise, three-minute presentation advocating Bitcoin’s potential as a strategic asset for Microsoft.
According to Saylor:
“The activist that put that proposal together contacted me to present to the board, and I agreed to provide a three-minute presentation — that’s all you’re allowed — and I’m going to present it to the board of directors.”
He also shared that an earlier proposal to discuss the topic confidentially with Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, had been declined.
The initiative aligns with an upcoming shareholder vote, scheduled for 10 December, that will determine whether Microsoft should assess Bitcoin as a potential investment.
Proposal Backed by Shareholder Activism
The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) has been a driving force behind this proposal.
The NCPPR’s argument emphasises MicroStrategy’s success with its Bitcoin strategy.
According to the proposal, MicroStrategy’s share price has surged by over 300% this year, outperforming Microsoft’s stock, despite MicroStrategy conducting “a fraction of the business” of the tech giant.
Ethan Peck, deputy director of NCPPR’s Free Enterprise Project, commented on the potential dilemma for Microsoft should the proposal pass.
Conducting the assessment but rejecting Bitcoin as an asset could lead to scrutiny.
Microsoft’s board has recommended voting against the proposal, citing its current approach of evaluating a wide range of investable assets, including Bitcoin.
Saylor’s Vision for Corporate Bitcoin Adoption
Saylor strongly believes Bitcoin should be a consideration for major corporations with substantial cash reserves.
During the X Spaces, he noted,
“It ought to be put on the agenda of Berkshire Hathaway and Apple and Google and Meta because they all have huge hordes of cash, and they’re all burning shareholder value.”
He also highlighted that 98.5% of Microsoft’s enterprise value hinges on its quarterly earnings performance, while only 1.5% derives from tangible assets.
Saylor argued this imbalance could be addressed by allocating a portion of Microsoft’s value to stable, tangible assets like Bitcoin.
“It would be a lot more stable stock and a much less risky stock if half of the enterprise value of the stock was based upon tangible assets or property like Bitcoin,” he stated.
Microsoft’s Board and Industry Leaders Weigh In
Microsoft’s board of directors, which includes high-ranking figures from companies like The Walt Disney Company, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and GSK, will ultimately decide the fate of the proposal.
Nadella, who also serves as board chairman, is expected to be a key figure in guiding the board’s direction.
The vote will take place on 10 December, marking a critical moment for Microsoft and its potential engagement with the digital asset landscape.