- Michael Saylor publicly credited AI for helping raise $15 billion during an Aug. 6 appearance on *The Diary of a CEO* podcast.
- Strategy raised about $2.5 billion in the initial STRC offering and later about $8 billion more, totaling about $10.5 billion.
- Combined with about $4 billion from other preferred securities, the total reached about $15 billion.
- In early 2025, Strategy sought new ways to finance Bitcoin purchases beyond common stock and convertible bonds.
- Saylor used AI to explore designing a variable-dividend preferred stock, which became STRC.
- Saylor said common-stock sales and convertible bonds could not scale enough to fund more Bitcoin purchases.
- Preferred securities gave Strategy another funding channel alongside common equity and convertible debt.
- Saylor described asking an AI how Strategy could structure an unusual variable-dividend preferred stock.
- Strategy is the largest corporate holder of the top crypto, with more than 840,000 BTC in its coffers.
- Saylor has seen his wealth since he pivoted his software company Strategy to a bitcoin accumulation vehicle in 2020.
Michael Saylor revealed that Strategy utilized AI to develop a new variable-rate preferred stock, raising approximately $15 billion to fund Bitcoin purchases. The company initially raised $10.5 billion through this instrument, with $2.5 billion from the initial offering and an additional $8 billion from subsequent issuances.123410
Saylor stated, “I used AI to make $15 billion last year,” during an appearance on *The Diary of a CEO*. He explained that the need for a new financing channel arose as common-stock sales and convertible bonds could not sufficiently support Bitcoin acquisitions.
The preferred stock, known as STRC, has seen a recent rebound to nearly $100 after falling to around $75 in late June. This stock offers a 12% dividend and is part of a broader strategy that includes other preferred securities, raising a total of $15 billion for the company.
Saylor emphasized the unconventional use of AI in corporate finance, stating, “You don’t want to learn how to do things the AI can do. What you want to do is learn how to ask the AI to do something that’s never been done before.” Strategy, which holds over 840,000 BTC, has faced challenges with its common stock, which has lost around 80% of its value over the past year. However, the company has built a $4 billion cash reserve to sustain operations for two years before needing to raise additional funds.9
“The AI-designed STRC initially raised $2.5 billion and later $8 billion more, totaling $10.5 billion, with another $4 billion from related products. Saylor's account drew criticism from Jason Calacanis, who called it a 'terrifying confession,' while Bill Barhydt praised it as 'brilliant financial engineering.'”
CryptoSlate
Forbes
