In a bold move that underscores growing institutional interest in Bitcoin, South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), the world’s third-largest public pension fund, has acquired nearly $34 million worth of MicroStrategy shares. The business intelligence firm has made headlines for its aggressive Bitcoin accumulation strategy.
According to a recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the NPS purchased 24,500 MicroStrategy shares during the second quarter of 2024. This investment comes as MicroStrategy’s stock has surged by over 92% this year, driven in part by the company’s Bitcoin holdings.
With over $777 billion in assets, the NPS is a behemoth in the global investment landscape. Its decision to allocate a portion of its portfolio to MicroStrategy signals a growing acceptance of Bitcoin as a viable asset class among traditional financial institutions.
The NPS’s investment in MicroStrategy is not its only foray into the cryptocurrency space. The pension fund also holds a significant stake in Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, as well as investments in Roblox and Block, the financial services company founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.
While the NPS is a major player, it’s worth noting that Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund remains the world’s largest pension fund, boasting nearly $1.5 trillion in assets. The Government Pension Fund of Norway follows closely behind with over $1.3 trillion.
MicroStrategy, led by its outspoken CEO Michael Saylor, has become synonymous with Bitcoin accumulation. The company has consistently added to its Bitcoin reserves, making it the largest public holder of the cryptocurrency. Its latest purchase in the second quarter brought its total Bitcoin holdings to a staggering 226,500 BTC, worth approximately $13.19 billion at current prices.
Also Read: South Korea’s NPS Expands Bitcoin Exposure With $33.7M MicroStrategy Purchase
The growing interest in MicroStrategy is evident beyond the NPS’s investment. Defiance ETFs has recently launched a fund focused on providing leveraged exposure to MicroStrategy shares, indicating strong investor demand for the company’s stock.
As institutional investors like the NPS continue to embrace Bitcoin and cryptocurrency-related assets, the digital asset ecosystem is poised for further growth and maturation.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.