Bitcoin Magazine
Strategy (MSTR) Earns S&P ‘B-’ Rating, Marking a Major Milestone for Bitcoin-Backed Credit
For the first time in financial history, a major credit rating agency has formally evaluated a company built on a bitcoin-backed credit model. In news covered by Bitcoin Magazine, the S&P Global Ratings has assigned Strategy Inc (MSTR) a ‘B-’ Issuer Credit Rating with a Stable outlook, recognizing not just the company, but the emergence of Bitcoin as collateral inside the credit system. This marks a watershed moment for corporate finance. Bitcoin-backed credit is no longer theoretical. It is now a rated financial reality.
Until now, Bitcoin had been accepted by equity markets, ETFs, and corporate treasury conversations — but credit markets remained untouched. Credit markets are where legitimacy is ultimately decided because they determine who can borrow, at what cost, and against which assets.
By rating Strategy Inc, S&P has implicitly acknowledged:
This is not a marketing milestone — it is a structural one. Bitcoin has entered the language of risk-adjusted return, yield, and covenants.
The rating is speculative grade, but the Stable outlook is critical. It signals S&P’s belief that Strategy can continue to service obligations and access capital markets without selling its Bitcoin reserves — a foundational principle of bitcoin-backed credit.
S&P’s analysis mentions several possible weaknesses:
However, they also credited Strategy with unique structural strengths:
In short, S&P is signaling that bitcoin-backed credit can function — if managed with discipline.
Strategy Inc met the S&P 500 inclusion criteria in profitability and market capitalization but was passed over in 2024, widely believed to be due to its Bitcoin-heavy balance sheet. That decision now appears less defensible.
With a formal credit rating, the company shifts from “unrated anomaly” to “rated issuer.” For institutional capital, that distinction matters.
Bitcoin entering equity indices begins with Bitcoin entering the credit models behind them.
This rating does more than validate Strategy — it validates the architecture of bitcoin-backed credit as the superior evolution of corporate treasury management.
Phase 1 was equity-funded Bitcoin accumulation — high growth but shareholder dilution.
Phase 2 introduced convertible debt and preferred equity — allowing companies to acquire Bitcoin through capital markets rather than operating earnings.
Phase 3, now underway, is full institutional recognition of bitcoin-backed credit — rated, benchmarked, and capable of scaling.
This is the endgame:
With S&P formally rating Strategy’s issuer credit, this model moves from innovation to infrastructure.
This rating does not compel companies to adopt Bitcoin. But it removes the claim that Bitcoin cannot be integrated into traditional credit systems.
From now on:
What makes this moment different isn’t that another institution “acknowledged” Bitcoin. That’s happened before with ETFs, GAAP accounting changes, and treasury allocations.
What’s different is where the recognition has now occurred: Not in equity markets. Not in payment networks. But in credit — the foundation of corporate finance and monetary systems.
When a credit rating agency like S&P evaluates a company built on Bitcoin, it does three things that have never happened before:
This rating does not mean the model is risk-free. It means the model is real enough to underwrite, stress test, and lend against.
That is the real inflection point — not that S&P approved of Bitcoin, but that they were forced to measure it.
Disclaimer: This content was written on behalf of Bitcoin For Corporations. This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as an invitation or solicitation to acquire, purchase or subscribe for securities.
This post Strategy (MSTR) Earns S&P ‘B-’ Rating, Marking a Major Milestone for Bitcoin-Backed Credit first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Nick Ward.
Bitcoin Magazine
S&P Assigns ‘B-’ Rating to Strategy (MSTR), Citing Bitcoin Exposure and Liquidity Risk
S&P Global Ratings assigned a ‘B-’ issuer credit rating to bitcoin-juggernaut Strategy, reflecting the company’s heavy concentration in bitcoin and limited dollar liquidity. The outlook is stable.
S&P said the rating reflects Strategy’s “high bitcoin concentration, narrow business focus, weak risk-adjusted capitalization, and low U.S. dollar liquidity.” The company reported $8.1 billion in pre-tax earnings in the first half of 2025, almost entirely from appreciation in the value of its bitcoin holdings.
The firm said in their release that while Strategy’s balance sheet is dominated by bitcoin, its management has prudently staggered debt maturities and maintained flexibility by financing primarily with equity.
In other words, this rating means Strategy can meet debt obligations for now but faces significant default risk if market conditions worsen.
Strategy — now effectively a bitcoin treasury company — raises capital through equity and debt issuances to purchase and hold bitcoin. Its securities give investors varying exposure to bitcoin across its capital structure.
Just today, founder and former CEO Michael Saylor announced a purchase of 390 BTC between October 20 and October 26, spending approximately $43.4 million at an average price of $111,053 per Bitcoin. The firm still operates a small AI-powered analytics business, though it remains roughly breakeven.
JUST IN: S&P Global Ratings has rated a #Bitcoin treasury company for the first time — Michael Saylor’s Strategy
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) October 27, 2025
This S&P rating is the first-ever rating of a Bitcoin Treasury Company by a major credit rating agency.
According to S&P, Strategy’s risk-adjusted capital ratio was significantly negative as of June 30, 2025, because the agency deducts bitcoin assets from equity in its calculation.
Strategy reported $8.1 billion in pre-tax earnings in the first half of 2025. Operating cash flow during the period was negative $37 million.
The agency cited several key risks, including a currency mismatch between Strategy’s bitcoin-denominated assets and dollar-denominated obligations such as interest, debt principal, and preferred dividends.
S&P also pointed to cybersecurity risks given the company’s reliance on custodians to safeguard its bitcoin.
Strategy holds bitcoin valued at roughly $70 billion, against $8 billion in convertible debt, much of which matures beginning in 2028. Annual preferred dividends total about $640 million, which the company plans to fund through additional stock and preferred equity issuance.
While Strategy’s access to capital markets remains a core strength, S&P warned that a sharp decline in bitcoin prices or loss of investor confidence could impede its ability to refinance debt or pay dividends, potentially leading to bitcoin sales “at severely depressed prices.”
S&P said the rating could be downgraded if access to markets weakens or debt management risks rise. An upgrade is unlikely unless the company improves its U.S. dollar liquidity or reduces reliance on convertible debt.
Earlier this year, Michael Saylor laid out an ambitious plan to reshape global finance through Bitcoin.
In an interview with Bitcoin Magazine, Saylor described an “endgame” in which Strategy accumulates a trillion-dollar bitcoin balance sheet, growing 20–30% annually, and uses it as the foundation for a new global credit system.
At the core of his vision is scale: with enough BTC on corporate balance sheets, the long-term appreciation of Bitcoin — historically around 21% annually — would supercharge the capital base.
On top of that, Saylor sees an opportunity to issue bitcoin-backed credit at yields significantly higher than traditional fiat-based debt, potentially two to four percentage points above corporate or sovereign rates.
He argued that over-collateralization could make this system safer than even AAA-rated debt, while simultaneously fueling broader financial growth.
Saylor’s vision extends beyond credit markets. As Bitcoin becomes embedded in corporations, banks, insurers, and sovereign wealth funds, public equity indexes could gradually become indirect bitcoin vehicles.
This, he says, would benefit equity markets and corporate balance sheets while introducing higher yields and greater transparency into financial products.
The implications are broad: savings accounts could yield 8–10% instead of near-zero, money market funds could be denominated in bitcoin, and insurance products could be reimagined around bitcoin collateral.
This post S&P Assigns ‘B-’ Rating to Strategy (MSTR), Citing Bitcoin Exposure and Liquidity Risk first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.
Bitcoin Magazine
Bitcoin Price Rebounds Above $115,000 As Strategy Buys 390 More Bitcoin
Bitcoin’s price surged above $115,000 on Monday as Strategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, announced another significant purchase of Bitcoin. The business intelligence firm acquired 390 BTC between October 20 and October 26, spending approximately $43.4 million at an average price of $111,053 per Bitcoin.
According to a Form 8-K filing released today, Strategy’s total Bitcoin holdings have now reached 640,808 BTC, with an aggregate purchase price of $47.44 billion. The company’s average purchase price stands at $74,032 per Bitcoin, including fees and expenses.
The latest acquisition was funded through proceeds from Strategy’s At-The-Market (ATM) equity programs, specifically through the issuance of preferred shares under its STRF, STRK, and STRD ATM programs. The company raised a combined total of $43.4 million during the period to finance these purchases.
The announcement comes amid a growing trend of companies adopting Bitcoin treasury strategies. Recent data indicates that publicly traded companies now hold over $110 billion worth of Bitcoin, with Strategy alone accounting for approximately $74 billion of that total.
BREAKING:
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) October 27, 2025
The emergence of Bitcoin treasury companies has accelerated notably in 2025, with Germany’s aifinyo AG recently announcing plans to accumulate 10,000 BTC by 2027. This follows similar moves by companies across Europe and Asia, signaling a broader institutional acceptance of Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.
The Bitcoin treasury model has moved from experimental to established corporate strategy. We’re seeing new companies enter this space almost weekly, recognizing Bitcoin as the ultimate treasury reserve asset.
Bitcoin’s price responded positively to Strategy’s announcement, trading above $115,000 as of press time. Bitcoin has shown strong momentum in recent days, supported by growing institutional adoption and the approaching 2026 halving.
Strategy’s stock (MSTR) has also shown positive movement, rising 3% in pre-market. Recent regulatory developments have further supported the Bitcoin treasury trend. Strategy recently received favorable guidance from the IRS and Treasury regarding the treatment of unrealized crypto gains in Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) calculations, eliminating concerns about potential tax liabilities for long-term Bitcoin holdings.
As more companies adopt Bitcoin treasury strategies and regulatory frameworks become clearer, the trend appears poised to continue. With Strategy leading the way and new entrants like aifinyo AG joining the space, corporate Bitcoin adoption is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon, spanning various industries and regions.
This post Bitcoin Price Rebounds Above $115,000 As Strategy Buys 390 More Bitcoin first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Vivek Sen.
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