Amid the 2021 crypto bull run, numerous publicly traded companies embraced Bitcoin and other digital assets, including Voyager, Celsius, and FTX. Additionally, Bitcoin’s recognition as legal tender in El Salvador drove its price to an all-time high of $69,044.77 on November 10, 2021. Michael Saylor-led MicroStrategy emerged as a leader with an impressive 152,333 BTC holding, resulting in an 11.07% ROI and $456,712,092 in profits.
However, some industry cornerstones like Voyager, Celsius, and FTX collapsed, leading Bitcoin’s price to plummet by 77.4% to a low of $15,602 on November 9, 2022. A study conducted in July 2023 examines the performance of the top 10 publicly traded companies with the most significant Bitcoin portfolios, using the average price of Bitcoin, which stood at $30,090 then.
Others among the top 10 companies also enjoy unrealized profits, ranging from 9.79% (Block Inc) to 106.3% (Marathon Digital Holdings). The only companies with unrealized losses are NEXON Co. and Tesla, with -48.32% and -5.97%, respectively.
Notably, three mining companies, Hut 8 Mining Corp., Riot Platforms, Inc., and Hive Blockchain, stand out for their substantial unrealized profit per Bitcoin. As miners, their entry price is effectively $0 per Bitcoin.
Among the non-mining top 10 companies, Marathon Digital Holdings leads with a remarkable 106.3% unrealized profit, fueled by substantial Bitcoin holding growth. Four out of seven companies in the top 10 since 2021 expanded their Bitcoin portfolios. MicroStrategy has led by adding the most BTC to their holdings since 2021 (22,634 BTC).
Block and NEXON Co. kept their Bitcoin holdings since 2021, while Hive Blockchain reduced holdings by selling 759 BTC (-24.56%). Three new entrants – Galaxy Digital Holdings, Tesla, and Riot Platforms – now rank third, fifth, and eighth among the top 10 publicly traded companies with Bitcoin holdings.
Tesla, in particular, has experienced significant fluctuations in its cryptocurrency holdings. After purchasing $1.5 billion worth of Bitcoin in early 2021, the company sold 75% of its holdings for a profit of $64 million, citing environmental concerns and asset rebalancing as reasons. They have since retained the remaining 25% (approximately 10,500 BTC).
MicroStrategy holds an astounding 152,333 BTC, valued at over $4.5 billion at current prices. Their holdings have increased by 17.45% since 2021, and they continue to invest in Bitcoin, acquiring 0.165% of the total supply at a lower cost per Bitcoin.
