Quick Read
- Michael Saylor’s net worth dropped by $4 billion in six months due to MSTR stock and bitcoin declines.
- He now controls $5.9 billion, down from $10.1 billion, with MSTR class B shares and personal bitcoin holdings making up the bulk.
- Strategy purchased 8,178 BTC for $835M last week, funded by preferred share sales.
- False rumors of bitcoin sales recently caused a brief panic but were quickly dispelled.
- Saylor’s assets include real estate, yachts, and valuable internet domains beyond crypto and stocks.
Michael Saylor’s Fortune Sinks: How MSTR and Bitcoin Wiped Out $4 Billion
Michael Saylor’s name has long been synonymous with bold bets on bitcoin and unwavering conviction in the power of technology to reshape wealth. But in 2025, the founder of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) is living a different story—a story defined by volatility, swift market reversals, and a staggering $4 billion slide in his net worth. According to Forbes and corroborated by Protos, Saylor’s wealth now stands at about $5.9 billion, down from $10.1 billion just six months ago—a 41% haircut that’s hard to ignore even in the unpredictable world of cryptocurrencies.
MSTR Stock and Bitcoin: The Double Blow
At the heart of Saylor’s financial troubles lie two assets he’s championed relentlessly: Strategy’s stock (MSTR) and bitcoin. Both have suffered dramatic declines in 2025. Saylor’s control over Strategy is anchored in his 19,616,680 shares of class B common stock—a supervoting category that grants him 43.58% of the company’s voting power, despite not holding a majority of total shares. These shares were worth $8 billion half a year ago, but as of Friday’s close, their value has plunged to just $3.9 billion, a brutal 52% drop. The pain is compounded by the fact that these shares form the backbone of Saylor’s wealth.
Meanwhile, bitcoin’s rollercoaster ride has been equally punishing. After peaking at $126,000 earlier in the year, BTC has tumbled to around $97,000—a reversal that erased its year-to-date gains and sent shockwaves across the crypto market. Saylor’s personal bitcoin stash, last publicly disclosed at 17,732 BTC in August 2024, would now be worth roughly $1.6 billion. That’s an 11% decline in value, adding another layer to his financial woes. The crypto market as a whole has shed $1 trillion in the past five weeks alone, amplifying the sense of uncertainty that hangs over the sector.
Corporate Moves: Strategy’s Bold Bitcoin Buys Amid Market Turmoil
Despite the steep drop in share price and market cap, Strategy has not slowed down its bitcoin acquisition strategy. In a move that’s become routine but still notable for its scale, the company purchased 8,178 BTC last week for $835.6 million, according to CoinDesk. This latest buy was financed primarily through the sale of preferred share offerings—STRE (Steam) and STRC (Stretch)—raising $715 million and $131.4 million respectively. The company’s total bitcoin holdings now stand at 649,870 BTC acquired for $48.37 billion, at an average price of $74,433 per coin. Yet, with MSTR’s stock price down 56% in just four months, the company’s market capitalization now hovers barely above the value of the bitcoin on its balance sheet. The implication? Issuing common stock has become dilutive for existing shareholders, and the company must now rely on alternative financing methods.
This aggressive accumulation of bitcoin sets Strategy apart from most corporate players, but it also exposes both the company and Saylor personally to amplified risk when the market turns sour. For 28 consecutive months, MSTR stock has underperformed bitcoin itself—a statistic that raises uncomfortable questions about the wisdom of using corporate equity to chase crypto gains.
The Rumor Mill: False Panic and Saylor’s Swift Response
As if market losses weren’t enough, Strategy faced a manufactured crisis earlier this month when rumors spread that the company had sold part of its bitcoin holdings. Social media lit up with speculation after a misleading screenshot from blockchain analytics site Arkham Intelligence appeared to show bitcoin transfers in red—a color misinterpreted as signaling sales. Traders on Polymarket saw odds spike that Strategy would sell bitcoin by January 2026, and the stock briefly crashed to $193 in pre-market trading.
Saylor moved quickly to dispel the panic, clarifying that no bitcoin had been sold and the transfers were routine moves to exchange custody. The stock rebounded above $200 by market open, and Polymarket odds dropped back to their previous low. The episode underscored the fragility of investor sentiment in a market where a single viral image can move billions of dollars—sometimes without basis in reality.
Beyond Crypto: Saylor’s Broader Asset Base
Saylor is not entirely at the mercy of bitcoin and MSTR stock. His personal portfolio includes tens of millions of dollars in real estate and yachts, plus a collection of valuable single-word dot-com domains. In April 2024, he exercised stock options and sold at least $370 million worth of class A common stock, reaching a pre-disclosed limit of 400,000 shares. What he did with the proceeds remains unclear—he may have reinvested in bitcoin, donated, or simply held cash.
Experts estimate that Saylor controls at least $5.5 billion in Strategy stock and bitcoin combined, with additional assets likely pushing the total higher. The $400 million gap between this conservative figure and Forbes’ $5.9 billion estimate is thought to reflect his real estate, domains, boats, and other holdings. Yet, the core story remains unchanged: Saylor’s wealth is tightly bound to the fate of bitcoin and his company, making him both a symbol of crypto’s promise and its perils.
Looking Ahead: What Saylor’s Loss Means for Strategy and Crypto Leadership
The scale and speed of Saylor’s losses have reignited debate about concentrated risk and the wisdom of betting a corporate future on crypto. While Saylor’s conviction remains unshaken publicly, Strategy’s underperformance relative to bitcoin and the recent financing shift to preferred share offerings reflect a company adapting under pressure. Investors and analysts now wonder: can Saylor’s strategy sustain another round of volatility, or will the financial wounds force a change in direction?
For now, Saylor’s story is a cautionary tale about the intersection of technology, finance, and personal risk. It’s also a reminder that in the world of crypto, fortunes can be made—and lost—at breakneck speed.
The facts show that Michael Saylor’s $4 billion wealth loss is not just a personal setback but a signal of deeper challenges facing both Strategy and the broader crypto sector. His unwavering commitment to bitcoin exposes him—and his company—to amplified risk, forcing a fundamental reassessment of how much conviction is too much when the stakes are measured in billions.