Michael Saylor’s firm, Strategy, has paused its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation streak, signaling a possible shift in institutional sentiment amid growing global financial turbulence.
According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated April 7, the Virginia-based company made no Bitcoin purchases between March 31 and April 6—a rare break from its typical BTC acquisition pattern.
A Surprising Pause from Bitcoin’s Biggest Bull
Strategy, led by Saylor and known for being one of Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate advocates, currently holds a massive 528,185 BTC on its balance sheet. The company began building its Bitcoin treasury in 2020 and has since become a symbol of institutional belief in crypto as a reserve asset.
However, this latest filing revealed that the company is now sitting on $5.91 billion in unrealized losses as of Q1 2025—a reflection of how recent market volatility has affected even the most committed holders.
The move to pause further BTC buys comes amid Bitcoin’s 10% drop, sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs and increasing geopolitical tensions.
Tariffs Shake Global Confidence—and Crypto Along With It
On April 2, Trump announced sweeping 10% tariffs on goods from nearly all foreign nations. That move roiled global markets. Just days later, on April 7, Trump further escalated the situation by threatening to hike tariffs on Chinese goods from 34% to 50%, unless Beijing backs down from its countermeasures.
“Be strong, courageous, and patient, and GREATNESS will be the result,” Trump posted on X.
While Trump framed the tariffs as a show of strength, financial markets had a different reaction. Stocks plunged and crypto followed suit. Bitcoin slid below $80,000, erasing much of the post-election momentum it had built earlier this year.
Wall Street Pushback Grows
Even Trump’s former allies are voicing concerns. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman criticized the administration’s strategy:
“To state the obvious, it does not help our country’s and our president’s negotiating position to be trying to strike deals while our market is collapsing,” Ackman wrote.
“Whoever is recommending that idea to President @realDonaldTrump should be fired now.”
What’s Next for Saylor—and for Crypto?
While Saylor’s Strategy hasn’t signaled a full reversal in its long-term Bitcoin outlook, the pause suggests a more cautious short-term stance as the global economic picture becomes increasingly uncertain.
With trade tensions rising, market sentiment deteriorating, and regulatory uncertainty still looming, the crypto industry is entering a delicate phase—and even its staunchest believers are adjusting strategies.
Whether this is a brief pause or the start of a more defensive shift among institutional crypto holders remains to be seen.
