Fear of missing out: Bitcoin’s corporate pull
The recent price surge has major investors and tech giants feeling the FOMO. From Amazon to MicroStrategy, who’s jumping on the crypto bandwagon, and why?
Bitcoin’s surge this month continues to capture the world’s attention, with FOMO spreading across markets as investors scramble to get a slice of the action. From institutional giants to everyday traders, the fear of missing out is palpable—and it’s driving some bold decisions.
According to CoinMarketCap, FOMO strengthens when investors miss the chance to ride the market’s upward momentum. This fear can prompt them to buy assets at inflated prices, even when logic tells them otherwise. While FOMO may drive short-term gains, it also carries risks, as Bitcoin remains volatile and speculative.
FOMO’s influence is evident among major corporations, some of which are exploring Bitcoin for their portfolios. For example, Amazon recently saw shareholders propose the inclusion of Bitcoin in the company’s holdings, citing MicroStrategy’s stock performance: "MicroStrategy—which holds Bitcoin on its balance sheet—has outperformed Amazon by 537% in the past year."
The proposal, submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, urged Amazon to hold at least 5% of Bitcoin, hoping to leverage its potential as a store of value and hedge against currency devaluation.
Microsoft is also eyeing Bitcoin. Supported by Michael Saylor, executive chairman of MicroStrategy, a proposal was presented arguing that “Microsoft can’t afford to miss the next technology wave, and Bitcoin is that wave.”
Bitcoin is increasingly seen as "digital gold" and a technology that could reshape the financial landscape. By adding it to their balance sheets, tech companies like Microsoft aim to stay at the forefront of technological innovation. Despite Microsoft’s shareholder rejection, the push for Bitcoin adoption continues, with Saylor remaining a strong advocate.
My 3-minute presentation to the $MSFT Board of Directors and @SatyaNadella, articulating why the company should do the right thing and adopt #Bitcoin. pic.twitter.com/aHp91V9Slz
— Michael Saylor⚡️ (@saylor) December 1, 2024
Billionaires' Bitcoin FOMO
Even billionaires are feeling Bitcoin FOMO. Ken Griffin, founder of Citadel Securities, remarked during a New York Times DealBook conference, "Of course, I wish I bought something that trades at 100-times the price it traded a few years ago," adding that "We all have FOMO. It's just universal, it’s part of human psychology."
Meanwhile, investors like MicroStrategy are quietly building their Bitcoin holdings. As of the latest data, MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin stash has grown to 423,650 BTC, valued at approximately $41.3 billion. The company now holds over 2% of Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million.
MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin holdings reflect its confidence in the cryptocurrency’s future. While controversial, this approach signals a belief in Bitcoin’s long-term value and its role in the future of finance.
For retail investors, this trend sends a clear message: even industry giants are embracing Bitcoin. As corporations continue to invest in what’s often called "digital gold," Bitcoin’s growing role in the financial future will become harder to ignore.
