LASERS Acquires Significant Stake in Strategy Inc.
The Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS) has disclosed its ownership of 17,900 shares in Strategy Inc., a holding valued at approximately $3.2 million as of January 29, 2025. This investment, reported by BitcoinTreasuries.NET, underscores a growing trend among public pension funds to gain indirect exposure to Bitcoin through regulated equity instruments.
This strategic move by LASERS, which manages over $15.60 billion in assets, represents a significant allocation to Strategy Inc. (MSTR), amounting to $3.20 million of its total portfolio. Strategy, formerly known as MicroStrategy and led by chairman Michael Saylor, has notably expanded its Bitcoin holdings to over 190,000 BTC. Michael Saylor has articulated that Strategy's evolution has cemented its position as a major Bitcoin holder, reaffirming the company's dedication to the cryptocurrency.
Public Pension Funds Increasingly Embrace Bitcoin Exposure
LASERS's investment mirrors initiatives seen in other public pension funds, such as the New York State Common Retirement Fund. This fund also increased its investment in Strategy during a period of stock market decline, indicating a preference for regulated securities as a means to acquire Bitcoin exposure. The investment by LASERS constitutes approximately 0.02% of its total assets, aligning with its strategic diversification objectives.
The market has largely reacted with stability to LASERS's disclosure, with no immediate or direct impact observed on Bitcoin's price or Strategy's stock fundamentals. Strategy shares recently closed at $173.71, marking a 10.5% increase year-to-date, though this is a notable decrease from its previous peak. No official statements have been released by Strategy executives concerning this specific transaction.
Bitcoin's Institutional Adoption and Market Performance
Public pension funds are increasingly utilizing indirect investment vehicles like Strategy Inc. (MSTR) to access Bitcoin, a strategy also adopted by entities such as the New York State Common Retirement Fund. This approach allows for exposure to the cryptocurrency market within a familiar and regulated framework.
Bitcoin is currently valued at $93,143.83, with a market capitalization of $1.86 trillion. Despite a 2.32% decline over the past 24 hours, Bitcoin has demonstrated considerable long-term resilience, showing increases of 1.85% over the last seven days and 5.58% over the past 30 days. Trading volume has surged by 131.6% recently, indicating heightened market engagement.
Research from the Coincu research team suggests that increased institutional investment could contribute to market stability through diversified portfolios. The gradual entry of public pension funds into the Bitcoin market may further solidify its status as a reliable asset within broader economic structures, potentially mitigating historical concerns about volatility.