Strategy surges 6% on MSCI decision not to exclude DATs from indexes
TL;DR
Strategy (MSTR) shares surged 6% after MSCI decided not to exclude digital asset treasury companies (DATs) from its indexes, maintaining current treatment for firms with 50%+ digital assets. The decision lifts a potential negative catalyst and may boost market sentiment for DATs.
Key Takeaways
- •MSCI will not exclude digital asset treasury companies (DATs) from its indexes, keeping current treatment unchanged for companies with 50%+ digital assets.
- •Strategy (MSTR) shares rose 6% in after-hours trading following the announcement, with other DATs also seeing modest gains.
- •The decision removes a potential negative catalyst that could have caused billions in passive capital outflows from DAT companies.
- •MSCI stated further research is needed to distinguish between investment companies and those holding digital assets as part of core operations.
- •Bitcoin added about 1% on the news, trading around $93,500 after being under pressure for most of the day.

What to know:
- Strategy (MSTR) shares rose 6% in after-hours trading after MSCI's decision on digital asset treasury companies.
- MSCI stated that distinguishing between investment companies and those holding digital assets requires further research.
- The current index treatment for companies with digital assets making up 50% or more of their total assets will remain unchanged.
- Strategy (MSTR) shares rose 6% in after-hours trading after MSCI's decision on digital asset treasury companies.
- MSCI stated that distinguishing between investment companies and those holding digital assets requires further research.
- The current index treatment for companies with digital assets making up 50% or more of their total assets will remain unchanged.
Strategy (MSTR) is ahead 6% in after-hours trading on Tuesday after MSCI decided not to exclude digital asset treasury companies (DATs) from its indexes.
"Distinguishing between investment companies and other companies that hold non-operating assets, such as digital assets, as part of their core operations rather than for investment purposes requires further research and consultation with market participants," said MSCI in a statement. "For instance, assessing index eligibility across a range of these types of entities may require additional inclusion assessment criteria, such as financial-statement-based or other indicators."
"For the time being, the current index treatment of DATCOs identified in the preliminary list published by MSCI of companies whose digital asset holdings represent 50% or more of their total assets will remain unchanged," MSCI continued.
The announcement was one of the most-watched catalysts for DATs, as their potential exclusion would mean not just Strategy, but those firms aiming to mimic that company, could lose billions in passive capital inflow.
With the possible negative news now lifted, capital might start to flow back into some of the treasury companies, potentially boosting market sentiment. Other DATs, such as Bitmine Immersion (BMNR), Sharplink (SBET), and Twenty One Capital (XXI), also saw modest bumps in after-hours trading.
Under pressure for most of the day, bitcoin also added about 1% on the news, now trading around $93,500.
Read more: JPMorgan Warns MSCI Decision Could Force Strategy Out of Top Equity Indices
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