cryptojournalist
Saylor’s Bold Prediction
MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor believes crypto mining firm MARA Holdings could be the next Bitcoin-focused company to join the Nasdaq 100. On December 14, Saylor responded to a congratulatory post from MARA CEO Fred Thiel, saying, “I expect $MARA will be the next.”
MicroStrategy, known for holding a massive Bitcoin treasury, will officially join the Nasdaq 100 on December 23. This prestigious index lists the top 100 non-financial companies by market cap on the Nasdaq exchange.
MARA’s Ambitions
Fred Thiel, MARA’s CEO, praised MicroStrategy’s achievement and confirmed MARA’s aspirations to join the index. The company has invested heavily in Bitcoin, spending over $600 million in just two months, according to a December 2 SEC filing.
Currently, MicroStrategy has a market cap of $94.77 billion, while MARA sits at $7.32 billion. Despite the gap, MARA’s growing Bitcoin holdings and recent efforts signal its determination to climb the ranks.
Market Performance
MicroStrategy: Closed at $408.67 on December 13, up 173% over six months.
MARA: Closed at $22.73, gaining nearly 17% over the same period.
Nasdaq 100 Changes
For new companies to join the Nasdaq 100, others must be removed. MicroStrategy is one of three additions this year, alongside two other firms. Illumina, Super Micro Computer, and Moderna are being dropped to make space.
MARA Advocates for Bitcoin Leadership
On November 27, MARA called on the U.S. government to take a stronger stance on Bitcoin mining, arguing it’s a matter of national security. In a November 26 post, the company emphasized the need for the U.S. to lead in Bitcoin adoption, comparing it to the country’s dominance in gold reserves. MARA also warned of the risks posed by de-dollarization, where countries reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
