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MSCI Drops Plan to Exclude Digital Asset Treasury Firms, Launches Broader Review

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Index provider MSCI said on Tuesday it will not move forward with a proposal to exclude digital asset treasury companies (DATCOs) from its indexes, opting instead to begin a wider review of how non-operating companies should be treated.

MSCI said it will maintain its current approach to firms on its preliminary DATCO list, defined as companies whose digital asset holdings account for 50% or more of total assets. As a result, Strategy, the world’s largest corporate holder of bitcoin, will remain included in MSCI’s global benchmarks for now.

Shares of Strategy rose about 6% in after-hours trading following the announcement, though the stock remains down roughly 47.5% for 2025. The company welcomed the decision, saying in a post on X that MSCI had confirmed digital asset treasury companies would remain in MSCI indexes for the February 2026 review, calling it “a strong outcome for neutral indexing and economic reality.”

MSCI said feedback from investors highlighted concerns that some DATCOs share similarities with investment funds, complicating their classification. The index provider noted that distinguishing between investment companies and operating businesses that hold significant non-operating assets — such as digital assets held as part of core operations rather than purely for investment — requires further research.

“For instance, assessing index eligibility across a range of these types of entities may require additional inclusion assessment criteria, such as financial-statement-based or other indicators,” MSCI said in its statement.

The broader consultation will examine how such companies should be evaluated in future index reviews, as digital assets become a more prominent feature on corporate balance sheets.

Bitcoin Hoarder Strategy Reports $17.44 Billion Unrealized Loss in Fourth Quarter

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Strategy, the company led by Michael Saylor, disclosed a $17.44 billion unrealized loss on its digital asset holdings in the fourth quarter, reflecting a sharp decline in the value of its large bitcoin stockpile.

The loss underscores the volatility facing companies that hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. Strategy’s shares fell about 47.5% in 2025, as fluctuations in crypto markets weighed heavily on the company’s balance sheet and reported earnings.

For the full year ended December 31, 2025, Strategy reported an unrealized loss of $5.40 billion on digital assets. In December, the company also cut its earnings forecast for 2025, citing sustained weakness in Bitcoin prices.

Companies with significant exposure to bitcoin and other digital tokens have come under renewed pressure in recent weeks amid heightened market volatility. Strategy, the world’s largest corporate holder of bitcoin, has been particularly sensitive to these swings due to the scale of its holdings.

The company said that as of January 4, 2026, it held $2.25 billion in U.S. dollar reserves. Strategy maintains this cash reserve to support dividend payments on its preferred stock and to cover interest obligations on its outstanding debt.

Despite the recent losses, Strategy has continued to position bitcoin as a core long-term asset on its balance sheet, even as investors remain cautious about the impact of crypto price movements on the company’s financial performance.

GameStop’s Crypto Pivot Boosts Shares of One-Time Retail Investor Favorite

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GameStop’s decision to invest in bitcoin has sparked renewed interest in the company, leading to an 11.6% surge in its shares to $28.36. The move comes as GameStop’s core brick-and-mortar business faces challenges in attracting customers, but its crypto pivot has brought retail investors back to the stock, once a meme stock favorite.

GameStop’s Bitcoin Investment Strategy

GameStop revealed its new investment strategy on Tuesday, declaring that it would hoard bitcoin as part of its treasury reserve assets. This aligns with the strategy of other companies, such as exchange operator Strategy, which holds a substantial amount of bitcoin. The announcement coincided with increased attention on digital assets, particularly cryptocurrencies, fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s focus on the sector.

Despite the positive reaction from retail investors, GameStop’s announcement of a $1.3 billion offering of five-year convertible notes to fund the bitcoin purchase led to a 5.5% drop in its stock during after-hours trading.

Analysts Weigh in on Bitcoin’s Impact

Analysts are skeptical about the long-term impact of the bitcoin investment on GameStop’s share price. Wedbush’s Michael Pachter argued that while the move appeals to retail investors who want GameStop to invest in cryptocurrencies, it is unlikely to drive a substantial increase in the company’s stock value. He pointed out that while companies like Strategy have seen their stock value closely align with their bitcoin holdings, GameStop trades at a higher multiple relative to its cash reserves, which raises questions about the sustainability of this approach.

Despite the volatility of bitcoin, which has seen its price fall from a six-figure high earlier this year, GameStop’s decision to invest in digital assets could lead to increased market fluctuations, according to analysts like Daniela Hathorn from Capital.com.

The Bigger Picture

GameStop’s recent moves, including aggressive cost-cutting measures and store closures, helped the company more than double its net income in the last quarter, although sales dropped by about 30%. These efforts have provided some financial stability for the company, but it remains to be seen whether its pivot to digital currencies will provide sustained growth.