Microsoft Shareholders to Vote on Bitcoin Investment Proposal

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has included Bitcoin on the agenda for its annual shareholders meeting set for December 9, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday. Shareholders will vote on a range of items, including a proposal titled “Assessment of investing in Bitcoin.” However, Microsoft’s board is urging shareholders to vote against the measure.

What the Proposal Means for Microsoft and Bitcoin

It’s not yet clear whether the proposal is specifically about adding Bitcoin to Microsoft’s balance sheet or if it simply calls for exploring its broader potential. Microsoft, one of the world’s largest software companies, already accepts Bitcoin for online purchases in its Windows and Xbox stores, yet an investment in Bitcoin would be a significant move for the tech giant.

Microsoft’s management already carefully considers this topic, according to the SEC filing, which may suggest that the company has weighed the pros and cons of cryptocurrency investment.

If Microsoft Invests in Bitcoin

If Microsoft proceeds with Bitcoin investment, it would join a select few U.S. companies that hold Bitcoin as a corporate asset. MicroStrategy, a software firm specializing in data solutions, led by CEO Michael Saylor, was among the first to make such a move in 2020. Today, MicroStrategy is the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, boasting 252,220 BTC valued at approximately $17 billion. The firm’s stock has surged in tandem with Bitcoin’s recent price rise, but few public tech companies have yet followed suit.

Microsoft’s shareholders’ decision on the Bitcoin proposal could pave the way for broader corporate interest in digital assets.