: MicroStrategy to borrow against its bitcoin holdings to buy more of the cryptocurrency

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MicroStrategy has been conducting a strategy for some time of using its data analytics business to fund the purchase of bitcoin.

Now it’s taking that strategy one step further — it’s borrowing, against its holdings of bitcoin, to buy more of the cryptocurrency. “Using the capital from the loan, we’ve effectively turned our bitcoin into productive collateral, which allows us to further execute against our business strategy,” said Chairman and CEO Michael Saylor in a statement.

MicroStrategy
MSTR,
-0.17%

said it’s agreed a $205 million term loan from Silvergate Capital
SI,
+1.90%

to buy more bitcoin.

Terms of the loan, via the Securities and Exchange Commission, show that MicroStrategy is putting up $820 million of bitcoin collateral. MicroStrategy is paying a floating rate plus 3.70%.

At the end of 2021, Microstrategy held nearly 125,000 bitcoin at a cost of $3.8 billion, or $30,548 each. Bitcoin
BTCUSD,
-0.44%

on Tuesday traded north of $47,000.

Silvergate said as of the end of 2021 it had commitments of $570.5 million for loans backed by bitcoin.

MicroStrategy on Tuesday saw its shares edge lower, and its stock has dropped 42% from its November peak.

Silvergate shares have climbed 4% this year, though its stock is down 34% from its November high.