Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), shared his vision of the future financial system and Bitcoin’s role in transforming it in an exclusive interview with Bitcoin Magazine. He discussed his company’s business model, the prospects for crypto assets, and society’s perception of the world’s first cryptocurrency.
Who Is Saylor and What Does Strategy Do?
Strategy is the world’s largest corporate holder of Bitcoin. Saylor, a well-known Bitcoin maximalist, actively promotes the global adoption of the cryptocurrency. The company has set a trend for Treasury companies (DATs) managing crypto reserves. Strategy raises capital through stocks and bonds to buy Bitcoin, which, in turn, boosts the profitability of its securities.
Bitcoin as a New Form of Digital Energy
Saylor compares Bitcoin to fire, which once provided early humans with warmth and security. He views it as “digital energy,” a form of digital capital, and even “digital gold.” According to him, Bitcoin allows the transfer of capital across the globe to solve financial challenges and represents a fundamental paradigm shift.
Signs of ‘Hyper-Bitcoinization’
Saylor believes Bitcoin is already penetrating multiple economic sectors:
- Public companies increasingly hold crypto assets (the number of DATs now exceeds 180).
- Bitcoin infrastructure is being integrated into popular services like Cash App. Apple and Google may add native support in iOS and Android in the near future.
Strategy emphasizes transparency, publishing reports and operational data while encouraging others to do the same.
Criticism and Information Noise
Saylor acknowledges that Bitcoin has always faced misunderstanding and criticism, comparing it to early skepticism about electricity, nuclear energy, and automobiles.
Bitcoin vs. Gold
He argues that gold loses to Bitcoin due to difficulties in storage and transfer. Bitcoin, he says, is more practical and offers “economic inviolability.” Adoption by governments and banks creates a system more decentralized than traditional gold holdings.
The Role of Institutional Players
Corporations and DATs are crucial in promoting Bitcoin. They fund network development, protect its stability, and drive adoption, while smaller banks gradually lose relevance.
DATs and Bitcoin-Based Credit Products
Saylor explains that DATs issue loans backed by Bitcoin, creating digital leverage. This significantly expands capital circulation and generates higher returns than traditional lending.
Strategy’s Endgame
The company aims to accumulate $1 trillion in Bitcoin and create credit products based on it, fostering massive market growth. Saylor predicts that eventually all S&P 500 companies and major crypto exchanges will invest in Bitcoin. He estimates Bitcoin will grow on average 21% annually over the next two decades, reaching $21 million, positioning it as Strategy’s primary partner in shaping the future financial system.
