Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Strive Challenges MSCI Plan to Bar Bitcoin‑Treasury Firms From Benchmarks

The asset manager urges index neutrality through optional ex‑crypto‑treasury versions ahead of MSCI’s January 15 decision.

Overview

  • Strive sent a formal seven‑page letter to MSCI CEO Henry Fernandez opposing the proposed reclassification and index removal of companies whose digital‑asset holdings exceed 50% of total assets.
  • The firm calls the 50% threshold arbitrary and unworkable, citing bitcoin volatility, use of derivatives and ETFs, and divergent GAAP versus IFRS accounting that can mask true exposure.
  • Strive proposes preserving neutral flagship indices while offering optional “ex‑Digital Asset Treasury” variants for clients that want to avoid crypto‑heavy balance sheets.
  • It argues many bitcoin‑heavy companies run substantive operations, pointing to miners expanding into AI data‑center services and the rise of bitcoin‑linked structured finance issued by major banks.
  • MSCI plans to rule on January 15, 2026, and analysts warn of potential passive outflows such as an estimated $2.8 billion from Strategy if excluded, while some index experts support exclusion to prevent double‑counting.